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 Bu 318

(Fig. S 3 J)

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.