Goniomma poschmanni

Introduction

Goniomma poschmanni is an extinct ant species that lived during the Upper Oligocene period, approximately 24.56-24.79 million years ago. It was discovered in the Enspel Oilshale deposits in the Westerwald Mountains of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany . This species is known only from fossilized specimens, specifically queen castes preserved in fine-grained oil shale sediment. The queen measured approximately 7.37mm in total body length, with a dark brown-black coloration and 12-segmented antennae . The genus Goniomma belongs to the subfamily Myrmicinae and the tribe Stenammini. What makes this species scientifically significant is its exceptional preservation. The fossils show detailed anatomical features including wing venation, mandible structure with 6-7 triangular teeth, and a unique stridulation organ on the first gastral segment characterized by pillar-like structures . These fossils were excavated as part of systematic campaigns between 1995 and 2013,with the species formally described in 2020 by Karla Jessen.