Dolichoderus granulinotus

Introduction

Dolichoderus granulinotus is an extinct ant species that lived approximately 44 million years ago during the Late Eocene period. It was preserved in Baltic amber, making it one of the oldest known Dolichoderus species in the fossil record . Workers measured approximately 4.5mm in total body length, with a distinctive head shape featuring rounded sides, pointed occipital angles, and a deeply excised occipital margin. The species is notable for its unusual granular sculpture on the head and mesosoma, which distinguishes it from other Late Eocene Dolichoderus species . This ant represents a fascinating window into ancient ecosystems and the evolutionary history of the Dolichoderinae subfamily.