Aphaenogaster sommerfeldti

Introduction

Aphaenogaster sommerfeldti is an extinct ant species known exclusively from Late Eocene Baltic amber deposits dating to approximately 37.8 to 33.9 million years ago . It is one of the most frequently encountered ant species in these fossil deposits, with at least 50 worker specimens documented alongside rare queens and males . First described by Mayr in 1868, this species displays distinctive morphology including a suboval head with distinctly convex sides and a mesonotal dorsum that rises prominently above the pronotal level, creating a noticeable hump-backed profile compared to related amber species . This species represents an important snapshot of ant evolution during the Late Eocene, showing clear morphological similarities to modern Aphaenogaster while possessing unique characteristics that distinguish it from both extinct and living relatives . The abundance of specimens in Baltic amber suggests it was a common component of the European forest floor fauna during this warm geological period .