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Zigrasimecia in amber

The holotype of Zigrasimecia in amber

Zigrasimecia is a primitive ant of the subfamily Sphecomyrminae from Cretaceous Burma. It is known only from a specimen found in amber.

Description[]

Like other sphecomyrmin ants, Zigrasimecia possesses a well-developed metapleural gland, which is a feature shared by all modern ants. Zigrasimecia also has a stinger on the end of its abdomen.

Classification[]

Zigrasimecia is part of the Sphecomyrminae, and one of nine genera in the subfamily.

History[]

The holotype and to date only specimen of Zigrasimecia was found in northern Burma as an inclusion in amber. Approximately 99 million years old, it was described by Phillip Barden and David Grimaldi in 2013.[1]

References[]

  1. Barden, P.; Grimaldi, D. (2013). "A New Genus of Highly Specialized Ants in Cretaceous Burmese Amber (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Zootaxa 3681 (4): 405–412. doi:10.1016/j.mycres.2007.03.010.
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