Plagiolepis singularis

Introduction

Plagiolepis singularis is an extinct ant species known only from a single female specimen found in Baltic amber from the Late Eocene epoch, roughly 44 to 49 million years ago . This fossil species lived millions of years before modern ants evolved. The specimen measured 5.7 mm in total length, making it the largest known Plagiolepis queen ever recorded . Modern Plagiolepis queens rarely exceed 4 mm. The taxonomic placement of this species remains unclear because the original specimen was lost and only historical descriptions and illustrations survive . The petiole shows an unusually thick, high vertical scale with parallel front and back surfaces, which breaks typical Plagiolepis patterns .