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First Fossil Dirt Ant from Caribbean Unearthed in 16-Million-Year-Old Amber

The discovery of Basiceros enana reshapes the evolutionary history of dirt ants and highlights early crypsis adaptations.

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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

  • Researchers from NJIT identified Basiceros enana, the first fossil dirt ant found in the Caribbean, preserved in Dominican amber from the Miocene epoch.
  • Basiceros enana, measuring 5.13 mm, is the smallest known member of its genus and shows early crypsis adaptations such as specialized hairs for soil camouflage.
  • Advanced Micro-CT scanning and 3D reconstruction techniques enabled detailed morphological analysis of the fossil, revealing traits shared with modern dirt ants.
  • The presence of Basiceros ants in the Caribbean suggests ancient land bridges may have facilitated their migration from mainland regions.
  • Scientists are investigating Miocene ecological changes, including niche loss and interspecific competition, as potential causes of the ants' extinction in the region.