Hypoponera electrocacica

Introduction

Hypoponera electrocacica is an extinct ant species preserved in Dominican amber from the early Miocene period, approximately 16 million years ago. This species represents the first documented Hypoponera from the Caribbean region, confirming the genus was present in the Greater Antilles during the Miocene epoch. The sole known specimen is an alate (winged) queen trapped in a 10 × 10 mm section of transparent yellow amber, making it a remarkable window into ancient ant diversity. The queen has a dark to black body with reddish-brown legs, antennae, and mandibles. The species name 'electrocacica' combines the Latin word for amber (electrum) with the Taino word for chief (cacique), referring to the queen trapped within the fossilized resin.