A rare fossil discovery has uncovered a miniature, ancient “dirt ant” once native to the Caribbean, shedding new light on its history and extinction. The fossilized Basiceros dirt ant, found preserved in 16-million-year-old Dominican amber, belongs to a newly identified species named Basiceros enana.
Basiceros ants are expertly camouflaged, earning them the name “dirt ants.” However, this particular species is significantly smaller than its living counterparts, with adults reaching just 5.13 millimeters in length. The discovery provides direct evidence that Basiceros dirt ants once lived on Caribbean islands but disappeared from the region during the Miocene epoch.
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to examine the fossil and compare it with existing species. They also analyzed molecular data to determine its place in the ant’s evolutionary timeline. The study reveals that these ants evolved relatively rapidly, doubling in size over 20 million years.
The discovery highlights ancient adaptations that allowed Basiceros dirt ants to remain nearly invisible to predators and prey, a strategy known as crypsis. However, despite their specialized features, the species ultimately vanished from the region due to ecological changes during the Miocene.
The fossil provides valuable insights into the complex evolutionary history of life on Earth and helps researchers understand why some groups of organisms undergo extinction while others persist for millions of years. The discovery is a significant contribution to our understanding of biodiversity and extinction patterns, particularly in the context of human-driven threats to species survival.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/like-finding-a-diamond-16-million-year-old-fossil-of-elusive-ant-stuns-scientists