Pristomyrmex rasnitsyni

Introduction

Pristomyrmex rasnitsyni is an extinct ant species known from a single fossil worker preserved in Late Eocene Danish amber, approximately 40 million years old . This is the only known fossil species within the genus Pristomyrmex, which makes it particularly significant in palaeomyrmecology (the study of ancient ants) . The worker measures approximately 3.0 mm in total body length, with an 11-segmented antenna featuring a distinct 3-segmented apical club, and possesses relatively long propodeal spines . The species was named in honor of Professor Alexandr Pavlovich Rasnitsyn, a renowned Russian hymenopterist and palaeontologist . It shares diagnostic features with the modern P. punctatus group, including the lack of spines on the pronotum and coarse reticulate sculpture on the head and alitrunk . IMPORTANT: This is a FOSSIL species that cannot be kept in captivity. No living specimens exist, and the species went extinct approximately 40 million years ago. This caresheet exists solely for taxonomic and educational purposes.