Discovery of 'hell ant' fossil rewrites ant evolution narrative
Scientists from Brazil have discovered the oldest known ant, dating back 113 million years. It was found in the collections of the University of São Paulo. This discovery alters the current understanding of the evolution of these insects.
A team of biologists and palaeontologists from Brazil made a remarkable discovery in the zoological museum collections of the University of São Paulo. They identified a species of ant from the subfamily Haidomyrmecinae, which is the oldest known specimen of this insect. This ant, dated at 113 million years, is exceptionally well-preserved.
Hell ants from the past
Anderson Lepeco, a member of the research team and an employee of the Brazilian museum, explained that the discovered specimen belongs to the extinct subfamily of ants, colloquially known as "hell ants".
Research published in the scientific journal "Current Biology" indicates that anatomically specialised ants existed as early as 113 million years ago, which changes the current understanding of their evolution.
Until now, it was believed that the oldest ants from the subfamily Haidomyrmecinae lived about 100 million years ago. The new discovery moves this date back by at least 13 million years. Lepeco emphasised that the fossil found in limestone proves that during the Cretaceous period, these insects were perfectly adapted to obtaining food.
Unique anatomical features
Hell ants had highly specialised sickle-shaped jaws, which likely served to kill their prey. Although they belonged to an ancient lineage, they already exhibited unique anatomical features at that time, indicating their advanced hunting behaviour.
Until now, only ancient ant specimens from Europe and Southeast Asia were known. The fossil from north-eastern Brazil is the first find from the subfamily Haidomyrmecinae in this part of the world.
