Strumigenys schleeorum

Introduction

Strumigenys schleeorum is an extinct ant species known only from a single fossil queen preserved in Dominican amber from the Miocene epoch, roughly 15-20 million years old. It was first described by Baroni Urbani in 1994. The species belongs to the tribe Attini (fungus-growing ants) and shows a set of unique physical traits, especially its very reduced mandibular dentition, the mandibles only touch at the tip when closed, with 8-9 tiny teeth that are hard to see. The queen has 6 antenna segments, large bulging eyes, and a dark brown, opaque body with lighter antennae and legs. The species lacks the spongiform appendages found in many other *Strumigenys* . Its closest living relative appears to be *Strumigenys studiosi* from Costa Rica, but *S. schleeorum* stands out from all other dacetine ants because of its unusual jaw shape . This fossil gives scientists a peek into ant diversity in the Caribbean during the Miocene. Because it’s extinct, there are no living colonies you can keep .