Dolichoderus kutscheri

Introduction

Dolichoderus kutscheri is an extinct ant species known from Late Eocene Bitterfeld amber, dating to approximately 44-49 million years ago. Workers measured approximately 5mm in body length, making them a moderately sized ant within the Dolichoderinae subfamily. The species was formally described in 2008 by G.M. Dlussky based on fossil specimens preserved in amber from Central Europe . This species is notable for its unusual petiole structure - it has a massive, almost cubic node-like petiole, which distinguishes it from all other known fossil Dolichoderus species. Most fossil Dolichoderus species have either a triangular petiole or an inclined scale-like structure. This cubic petiole shape is more similar to some modern South American species like Dolichoderus decollatus, though the propodeum structure differs significantly .