Nesomyrmex caritatis

Introduction

Nesomyrmex caritatis is an extinct ant species preserved in Dominican amber from the Miocene epoch, approximately 15-20 million years ago. Workers measured 2.91mm in total length, with a black body and reddish-brown legs. This species belongs to the subgenus Nesomyrmex and shows primitive features like 12-jointed antennae compared to the 11-jointed antennae seen in its modern relatives. The species name honors Jorge Caridad, the collector who found the specimens. As a fossil species, these ants cannot be kept in captivity - they existed millions of years ago and are known only from specimens preserved in ancient amber.