Dolichoderus heeri

Introduction

Dolichoderus heeri is an extinct ant species known only from fossil specimens preserved in Early Miocene (Burdigalian,16.0-20.4 million years ago) deposits in Radoboj, Croatia . This species was formally described in 2014 by Dlussky and Putyatina based on well-preserved fossil gynes (queens) and males entombed in ancient sediment . The queens measured 5-5.5mm in total body length with distinctive morphological features including a nearly rectangular head with rounded occipital corners, compact mesosoma, and a propodeum with a concave declivity that distinguishes it from other fossil Dolichoderus species in the same deposits . Unlike living Dolichoderus species that inhabit tropical regions today, this ancient ant existed during the Miocene epoch when much of Europe featured subtropical forests. As a fossil species, Dolichoderus heeri cannot be kept in captivity - no living specimens exist anywhere on Earth.