Cephalotes serratus

Introduction

Cephalotes serratus is an extinct species of turtle ant known only from fossils preserved in Dominican amber, dating back to the Miocene period approximately 15-20 million years ago. Workers measured 3.82-6.00mm in total length, with the characteristic broad, flattened head and gastral lamellae (expandable flap-like structures on the abdomen) typical of Cephalotes species. The species was originally described under the genus Exocryptocerus before being moved to Cephalotes by de Andrade and Baroni Urbani in 1999,with Exocryptocerus elevatus and Exocryptocerus truncatus later synonymized under this species. This species belongs to the emeryi clade, characterized by long, flexible hairs on the body.