Technomyrmex hispaniolae

Introduction

Technomyrmex hispaniolae is an extinct ant species known only from fossil specimens preserved in Dominican amber dating to the Miocene epoch, approximately 15-20 million years ago . The species was originally described as Iridomyrmex hispaniolae by Wilson in 1985,then moved to Linepithema, and finally placed in Technomyrmex, though its taxonomic placement remains uncertain - it is currently listed as incertae sedis (uncertain placement) within the genus . Workers are characterized by a long scape (the first antenna segment), a metanotum (middle section of the thorax) with parallel grooves, a very long and slender petiole (waist segment), and a pair of long hairs on the top back of the head . As a fossil species, no living specimens exist, and nothing is known about their behavior, colony structure, or care requirements in captivity.