Liometopum croaticum

Introduction

Liometopum croaticum is an extinct fossil ant species from Early Miocene deposits in Radoboj, Croatia, dating back approximately 16-23 million years . Originally described by Heer in 1849 under the name Ponera croatica, this species has a complicated taxonomic history. Early researchers debated whether it belonged to the subfamily Ponerinae due to morphological features visible in fossil impressions, but later analysis placed it within the genus Liometopum in the subfamily Dolichoderinae . This species is known only from fossil specimens preserved in sedimentary rock - no living specimens exist. It cannot be kept in captivity.