Ectatomma gracile

Introduction

Ectatomma gracile is an extinct ant species known only from a single male specimen preserved in Sicilian Amber from the Oligocene epoch . The fossil dates to approximately 23-33 million years ago. This species was described by Carlo Emery in 1891 and represents one of the oldest known ant fossils in the Ectatomma genus. The specimen measures 3.5mm in total length, is entirely black in color, and displays distinctive morphological features including prominent pedunculate eyes, long slender antennae, and a very slender body profile . This species cannot be kept as a pet as it has been extinct for millions of years.