Ancient Ant Specimen Yields Strange Jaw Structures, Researchers Assert
In the realm of predators, creatures with sharp claws or teeth often come to mind. Yet, over a hundred million years ago, a minuscule yet extremely formidable predator emerged, equipped with scythe-like jaws.
A team of researchers from the Museum of Zoology at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, recently discovered a 113-million-year-old fossil ant that may be the oldest known ant specimen to science. Labeled Vulcanidris cratensis, the fossil belongs to the extinct ant subfamily Haidomyrmecinae, also known as "hell ants."
These bizarre ants flourished during the Cretaceous period (145 million to 66 million years ago) and were notorious for their vicious and highly specialized jaws.
"The discovery of Vulcanidris cratensis marks the earliest undisputable geological record of ants," explained Anderson Lepeco, a researcher from the Museum of Zoology, in a statement issued by Cell Press. "What makes this discovery particularly interesting is that it belongs to the extinct 'hell ant,' known for their unusual predatory adaptations."
The researchers studied the fossilized hell ant, preserved in limestone, using micro-computed tomography, a 3D imaging technique. Their analysis revealed that the ant had impressive mandibles that protruded forward and were likely used to pin down prey. This unusual jaw structure contrasts with modern ants, which possess mandibles that move sideways.
"The anatomically specialized ant from 113 million years ago challenges our assumptions about how quickly these insects developed complex adaptations," Lepeco noted. "The intricate morphology suggests that even these earliest ants had already evolved sophisticated predatory strategies significantly different from their modern counterparts."
The researchers also found that the Vulcanidris cratensis was closely related to other hell ant species previously discovered in amber in Myanmar. Since the fossil originated from the Crato Formation - a fossil hot-spot in northeastern Brazil - it implies that by 113 million years ago, Haidomyrmecinae ants had already spread across the globe.
"This specimen's discovery highlights the importance of thorough examination of existing collections and brings attention to Brazilian paleontology and the understudied fossil insect fauna of the country," Lepeco added.
The study, published in the journal Current Biology, suggests that ants had already diversified and expanded globally 113 million years ago, shedding light on the evolution of one of the most successful insects on Earth.
The "hell ants" (subfamily Haidomyrmecinae) were characterized by their diverse head ornamentations, unique mandibles, eusocial structure, and sophisticated predatory strategies. These ants thrived during the Cretaceous period and were found across several continents, indicating a wide geographic distribution during their time.
- Gizmodo reported on the discovery of 'Vulcanidris cratensis', a 113-million-year-old fossil ant that might be the earliest known ant specimen to science, as per a study published in the journal Current Biology.
- The 'hell ants', known for their vicious and highly specialized jaws, are a fascinating example of technology in nature, unfolding the intricacies of environmental-science and science.
- Technology, especially micro-computed tomography, played a pivotal role in analyzing the fossilized 'hell ant', revealing its impressive mandibles that contrast with modern ants.
- The discovery of 'hell ants' in the realms of space-and-astronomy (Brazilian paleontology) challenges our understanding of the future evolution of ants, one of the most successful insects on Earth.
