Cephalotes poinari

Introduction

Cephalotes poinari is an extinct ant species known from a single worker preserved in Mexican amber from the Oligocene-Miocene period, approximately 23-33 million years ago . The worker measures 5.06mm in total length and has a distinctive appearance with broad, semitransparent lamellae on the head, thorax, and abdomen, giving it a remarkably armored look . The lamellae are dark orange and semitransparent, creating a striking visual profile . This species belongs to the multispinosus clade and can be distinguished from related species by its unusually broad head and the triangular, projecting shape of its propodeal lamellae . This species was named in honor of Dr. George O. Poinar, Jr., a renowned entomologist who provided numerous exceptional amber specimens for scientific study . The single known specimen is housed in the GOPC No. Mex. 2-2 collection . As a fossil species, C. poinari represents an ancient member of the genus Cephalotes, which still contains living species today.