Gnamptogenys europaea

Introduction

Gnamptogenys europaea is an extinct ant species from Eocene Baltic amber, dating back 44-49 million years. Workers are about 4 mm in body length, while queens are 4.0-4.5 mm . It belongs to subfamily Ectatomminae and was originally described as Ectatomma europaeum . The species is known from multiple European amber deposits and was likely a terrestrial nestor in soil or leaf litter . The most striking aspect is the fossil record: only 20 specimens have been found, with 17 males,2 alate queens, and just one worker, suggesting workers rarely climbed vegetation where resin could trap them .