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16-Million-Year-Old Fossil Unveils Caribbean History of Basiceros Dirt Ants

Researchers identify a new extinct species, Basiceros enana, preserved in Dominican amber, revealing evolutionary adaptations and extinction patterns.

Image
Image
Photomicrograph of Basiceros enana, a newly discovered extinct dirt ant species preserved in Dominican amber, formed from tree resin that fossilized millions of years ago. Credit: Gianpiero Fiorentino (NJIT)
Illustration of the process of volume rendering and measurement taken using volume renderings of Basiceros enana. Image credit: Fiorentino et al., doi: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2171.

Overview

  • The fossilized Basiceros enana, measuring 5.13 mm, is the first known Caribbean specimen of its genus, dating back 16 million years.
  • Advanced Micro-CT imaging and 3D reconstruction enabled detailed analysis of the ant's morphology and evolutionary lineage.
  • The study shows Basiceros ants nearly doubled in size over 20 million years, overturning previous theories of size evolution.
  • Specialized hairs for soil adhesion, key to the ants' crypsis, were already developed in this ancient species.
  • Researchers link the Miocene extinction of these ants to ecological changes and highlight significant predator ant diversity loss in the Caribbean.