Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the ancient Caribbean, uncovering the first fossil of a 16-million-year-old “dirt ant” species. The discovery, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, sheds new light on the evolution and extinction of insect lineages in the region.
The fossil, identified as Basiceros enana, is smaller than any living relative of its genus and offers critical insight into how insects adapted to their environments. The ant’s unique features, including specialized hairs that bind particles of soil and debris, suggest it was a predatory species.
However, the discovery also reveals a surprising evolutionary twist: this ancient species was significantly smaller than previously thought. In contrast, modern descendants are nearly twice its size, challenging assumptions about the group’s evolutionary pressures and geographical spread.
The find provides evidence that the Caribbean once hosted species now found only in Central and South America. The presence of Basiceros in Dominican amber suggests ancient land bridges may have allowed it to migrate into the islands. However, this lineage did not survive, leading researchers to speculate on possible reasons for its extinction, including niche collapse, environmental change, or competition.
The discovery highlights the importance of fossils in understanding the evolution of life and offers valuable lessons for preserving modern biodiversity in the face of climate change and human activity.
Source: https://indiandefencereview.com/16-million-year-old-creature-encased-amber