Lasius occultatus

Introduction

Lasius occultatus is an extinct ant species known only from fossil impressions dating to the Early Miocene period, approximately 18.2 million years ago. The fossils were discovered in the Radoboj deposits in Croatia, where this species was remarkably common, representing about 15% of all ant fossils found at that site . Workers were tiny at just 1.25-1.75mm in total length, making them among the smallest known Lasius species, living or fossil . The species has since been transferred to the genus Metalasius as Metalasius pumilus based on phylogenetic analysis . This is a genuine fossil species with no living specimens, it cannot be kept in captivity.