Dolichoderus brevipalpis

Introduction

Dolichoderus brevipalpis is an extinct ant species that lived during the Late Eocene epoch, approximately 44-49 million years ago. It was discovered preserved in Baltic amber, a fossilized tree resin from ancient coniferous forests in what is now the Baltic region of Europe. Workers measured approximately 5.5mm in total body length, with a distinctive head that narrowed toward the front, very short maxillary palps (mouthparts), and a body covered in numerous long curved standing hairs. The species was formally described by G.M. Dlussky in 2008 and is notable for its unusually short maxillary palps, which distinguish it from all other known fossil and extant Dolichoderus species. The species name 'brevipalpis' literally means 'short palps' in Latin, referring to this defining characteristic .