Pheidole praehistorica

Introduction

Pheidole praehistorica is an extinct ant species known only from fossil inclusions in Oligo-Miocene amber from the Simojovel site in Chiapas, Mexico . Workers measure approximately 2.3 mm in total length, with distinctive pronotal spines, a deep mesonotal groove, and straight propodeal spines . The body is preserved as a solid cuticle with long erect setae, appearing light yellow in amber . This fossil provides evidence for the ancient distribution of spiny Pheidole ants in the New World .