Gerontoformica

Phillip Barden & David A. Grimaldi, 2016, Adaptive Radiation in Socially Advanced Stem-Group Ants from the Cretaceous, Current Biology 26, pp. 515-521 : 539

Description (gyne) Gerontoformica sp.: JZC Bu318

(Fig. S3J)

A complete specimen enclosed within a 9 x 5 x 4 mm piece of clear yellow amber; the entire cuticle covered with a reddish layer, indicating oxidation and/or initial pyritiziation of the specimen (the red layer obscures many structures). Wings are folded over each other, the distal halves of each being crumpled; the venation is nearly impossible to reconstruct. Ocelli present, small; face long, details of clypeal comb and mandibular dentition not visible. Antenna with 12 antennomeres (10 flagellomeres). Protibia with calcar bare (not pectinate), having bifid apex. Claws with small preapical tooth, arolium large and well developed. Structure of mesosoma obscured by some distortion. Mesotibia with two ventro-apical spurs (1 small, 1 longer posterior one); metatibia with two ventroapical spurs, both approximately the same length. Sting long, welldeveloped. Petiole broadly rounded dorsally, dome-like; sternite I with obvious ventral projection; gaster slender (some internal contents preserved, visible through cuticle). Head length 1.02; head width 0.62; eye depth 0.19; mesosomal length 1.48; petiole length 0.48; gaster length 1.96; forewing and hind wing length obscured due to degradation. Lengths of antennomeres: scape 0.37; pedicel 0.18; flagellomere I 0.32; 0.21; 0.19; 0.17; 0.17; 0.20; 0.15; 0.17; 0.14; 0.17; 0.15; 0.27.

Venation: Not visible.