Data from: Genomic data provide insights into the classification of extant termites

The higher classification of termites requires substantial revision as the
Neoisoptera, the most diverse termite lineage, comprise many paraphyletic
and polyphyletic higher taxa. Here, we produced an updated termite
classification using genomic-scale analyses. We reconstructed phylogenies
under diverse substitution models with ultraconserved elements analyzed as
concatenated matrices or within the multi-species coalescence framework.
Our classification is further supported by analyses controlling for rogue
loci and taxa, and topological tests. We show that the Neoisoptera are
composed of seven family-level monophyletic lineages, including the
Heterotermitidae Froggatt, Psammotermitidae Holmgren, and Termitogetonidae
Holmgren, raised from subfamilial rank. The species-rich Termitidae are
composed of 18 subfamily-level monophyletic lineages, including the new
subfamilies Crepititermitinae, Cylindrotermitinae, Forficulitermitinae,
Neocapritermitinae, Protohamitermitinae, and Promirotermitinae, and the
revived Amitermitinae Kemner, Microcerotermitinae Holmgren, and
Mirocapritermitinae Kemner. Building an updated taxonomic classification
on the foundation of unambiguously supported monophyletic lineages makes
it highly resilient to potential destabilization caused by the future
availability of novel phylogenetic markers and methods. The taxonomic
stability is further guaranteed by the modularity of the new termite
classification, designed to accommodate as-yet undescribed species with
uncertain affinities to the herein delimited monophyletic lineages in the
form of new families or subfamilies.