Scientific illustration of Liometopum croaticum ant - showing key identification features including head, thorax, and gaster.

Fossil Liometopum croaticum

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Liometopum croaticum
Tribe
Tapinomini
Subfamily
Dolichoderinae
Author
Heer, 1849
Fossil
Yes (fossil species)
Distribution
Found in 0 countries

Introduction

Liometopum croaticum is an extinct fossil ant species from Early Miocene deposits in Radoboj, Croatia, dating back approximately 16-23 million years . Originally described by Heer in 1849 under the name Ponera croatica, this species has a complicated taxonomic history. Early researchers debated whether it belonged to the subfamily Ponerinae due to morphological features visible in fossil impressions, but later analysis placed it within the genus Liometopum in the subfamily Dolichoderinae . This species is known only from fossil specimens preserved in sedimentary rock - no living specimens exist. It cannot be kept in captivity.

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Status by country, from Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
Data Sources
Year Range 2000 - 2026
Fossil

No caresheet needed

Liometopum croaticum is a fossil species and does not require a caresheet.