Unveiling the Oldest Ant Species: Discover the ‘Extraordinary’ Fossil That Reshapes Our Understanding of Ant Evolution

An exciting discovery has emerged from a Brazilian museum collection. Researchers uncover the oldest known ant fossil, dating back 113 million years. This ant lived long before many previously known species and has a unique method of hunting.

Anderson Lepeco, a researcher at the Museum of Zoology at the University of São Paulo, stumbled upon this remarkable specimen in September 2024. The museum is famous for its large collection of fossilized insects, especially from Brazil’s Crato Formation. This area is well-known for excellent fossil preservation.

The fossil belonged to a type of ant called a “hell ant.” Specifically, it belongs to the Haidomyrmecinae subfamily, which existed during the Cretaceous period, from 66 million to 45 million years ago. The species has been named Vulcanidris cratensis. Its jaws were scythe-like, suggesting it used them to grip or pierce its prey.

Lepeco expressed his amazement at the discovery. He noted this fossil is unusual because most hell ants found until now were trapped in amber, not preserved in rock. This specific find offers a glimpse into how ants evolved during the early Cretaceous, a period of great change in the planet’s ecology.

Notably, this discovery indicates that ants were already widespread much earlier than previously thought. Findings suggest that these insects had begun to develop their predatory skills by that time.

A study published in the journal Current Biology states that “the discovery enriches our understanding of ant evolution.” It reveals that many, like Vulcanidris cratensis, had unique anatomical features that did not survive the mass extinction event that eliminated the dinosaurs.

Insects, including ants, have a long and complex history. Ants first appeared around 145 million years ago. They evolved from a common ancestor shared with bees and wasps. However, they didn’t become prevalent until after the catastrophic asteroid impact 66 million years ago, which wiped out many species, allowing ants to thrive.

Phil Barden, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, highlighted the significance of this fossil. He stated that this discovery extends the ant fossil record by ten million years. Barden, who is an expert in insect evolution but was not part of the study, emphasizes the importance of the find, suggesting that it may lead to new insights into the timelines and preservation of ancient ant species.

Interestingly, this fossil also displays characteristics associated with wasps, a trait highlighting the evolutionary link between the two. For instance, its wings had more veins than those of modern ants, hinting at a fascinating evolutionary history.

Using micro-computed tomography, a technique that employs X-rays for 3D imaging, scientists could visualize internal structures of the fossil. This technique confirmed the fossil’s close relation to hell ants known solely from amber fossils previously found in Burma.

Lepeco elaborates on the striking features of the ant. Unlike modern ants that have jaws moving side-to-side, Vulcanidris cratensis had forward-projecting jaws. He theorizes this adaptation allowed it to grasp prey effectively, functioning almost like a forklift.

This remarkable fossil not only changes our understanding of ant evolution but shows these early creatures had complex and effective hunting strategies long before modern ants we know today. This finding invites us deeper into the story of how life has evolved on Earth, offering glimpses of a prehistoric world teeming with unique adaptations and survival tactics.

For more details on fossil discoveries and ant evolution, you can explore research published in the journal Current Biology.



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University of São Paulo, Anderson Lepeco, Cretaceous period, exceptional fossil preservation, fossil collection, ant species, northeastern Brazil, fossil, early Cretaceous