Myrmica schaefersi

Einleitung

Myrmica schaefersi is an extinct ant species from the Upper Oligocene period, approximately 24-25 million years ago. It was described in 2020 from a fossil queen specimen found in the Enspel Oilshale deposits in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany . The queen measured approximately 6.95mm in total body length, with a slightly elongated head, distinctive rounded occipital corners, and elongate mandibles with 5-6 teeth. The species had 12-segmented antennae with a 4-segmented club and two propodeal spines at the base of the gaster. This is a fossil species - there are no living specimens in existence.