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2d ago

113-Million-Year-Old Fossil Named Oldest Known Ant Specimen

The newly identified Vulcanidris cratensis from Brazil rewrites the ant evolutionary timeline and reveals unique predatory adaptations.

A 113-million-year-old fossilized ant preserved in limestone unearthed in northeastern Brazil, the world's oldest-known ant specimen is seen in this photograph released on April 24, 2025. Anderson Lepeco/Current Biology/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

Overview

  • Researchers have confirmed Vulcanidris cratensis, a 113-million-year-old fossil from Brazil, as the oldest undisputed ant specimen.
  • The fossil belongs to the extinct subfamily Haidomyrmecinae, or 'hell ants,' known for their scythe-like jaws and vertical mandible movement.
  • This discovery pushes back the confirmed timeline of ant evolution by 13 million years, predating previous fossils from France and Myanmar.
  • Advanced micro-CT imaging revealed the ant's specialized predatory anatomy, including upward-pointing jaws used for impaling prey.
  • The finding highlights the early global distribution of ants and underscores the value of reexamining museum collections for evolutionary insights.