Myrmica intermedia

Introductie

Myrmica intermedia is an extinct ant species that lived approximately 37.8-33.9 million years ago during the late Eocene period. Fossil specimens have been found preserved in Baltic amber from Poland and Rovno amber from Ukraine . The workers measured 4.9-6.4mm in total body length and were characterized by their coarse body sculpture, long propodeal spines directed backward, and the absence of spurs on the middle and hind tibiae . This species was originally described as Nothomyrmica intermedia by Wheeler in 1915 before being transferred to the genus Myrmica in 2007 . The name 'intermedia' reflects its intermediate characteristics between Myrmica rudis and Myrmica longispinosa . Unlike living Myrmica species, this fossil ant cannot be kept in captivity as it has been extinct for millions of years. However, it remains scientifically significant as one of the few Myrmica species preserved in amber, offering insights into ant evolution during the Eocene epoch.