Anochetus miosumatrensis

Introduction

Anochetus miosumatrensis is an extinct trap-jaw ant known only from a single fossil queen preserved in Miocene-aged amber from Sumatra. The specimen measures approximately 5 mm in total length and displays classic Anochetus features: elongated mandibles that are thin at the base but broaden toward the tips, designed for snapping shut on prey . The fossil was found in dark yellow amber that likely originated from dipterocarp trees in a warm, humid forest that existed 15 to 25 million years ago . This fossil holds special significance for ant biogeography. It represents the first discovery of the genus Anochetus in the Indomalaya region, proving these trap-jaw ants lived in ancient Southeast Asia millions of years ago. Previously, Cenozoic fossils of this genus were known only from the Neotropics. The specimen shows some deformation from volcanic heating that occurred during the Miocene, which means the body measurements may not reflect the exact living size .