Gesomyrmex germanicus

Introduction

Gesomyrmex germanicus is an extinct ant species from the Middle Eocene, approximately 44 million years ago. Only fossilized queen specimens (gynes) have been discovered in compression deposits from the Eckfeld maar in Germany. The queens measured 9-10mm in total body length and had distinctive features including a subrectangular head about 1.3 times longer than wide, large ovate eyes, and a completely black body. Their wings were colorless with dark veins . This species belonged to the Formicinae subfamily and the Gesomyrmecini tribe. It is tentatively considered possibly synonymous with Gesomyrmex hoernesi based on morphometric analysis of head proportions . The genus Gesomyrmex is considered a megathermal ant group, indicating adaptation to very warm climates during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum .