Cephalotes dieteri

Introduction

Cephalotes dieteri is an extinct ant species from the Miocene epoch, known only from fossil workers preserved in Dominican amber in the Caribbean . Workers measured 3.22-3.48mm in total length, making them small to medium-sized ants with the flattened head and body typical of the Cephalotes genus (turtle ants) . The species belongs to the coffeae clade and can be distinguished from its close relative Cephalotes integerrimus by its denser foveae (small pits) on the exoskeleton . Because this species went extinct millions of years ago, no living colonies exist. It cannot be kept in captivity or studied beyond examining fossil specimens. For antkeepers interested in the genus, several living Cephalotes species still exist in tropical America, though they are less common in the hobby than genera like Camponotus or Lasius.