Ants have been a fascinating subject of study for scientists for many years, and a recent discovery in Brazil has shed new light on the evolution of these incredible insects. A fossil, estimated to be over 110 million years old, has been unearthed in the Crato Formation in north-east Brazil, making it the oldest undisputed ant fossil ever found.
The fossil, belonging to an extinct group of insects known as hell ants, was discovered by Anderson Lepeco at the University of São Paulo. The unique characteristics of the fossil, such as its distinctive head shape and forklift-like mandibles, immediately caught Lepeco’s attention. These features are typical of hell ants, which are considered a transitional “stem lineage” more closely related to the common ancestor of all ants than to modern ant species.
Upon further examination and 3D scanning, the fossil was identified as a new species of hell ant, named Vulcanidris cratensis in honor of Brazilian entomologist Maria Aparecida Vulcano. The age of the fossil, estimated to be around 113 million years old, surpasses the previous oldest ant fossil by 13 million years. This discovery is significant as it provides more evidence that ants first evolved in the southern hemisphere on the supercontinent of Gondwana before spreading to other parts of the world.
The presence of such an ancient hell ant in South America aligns with genomic evidence suggesting that ants originated in the southern hemisphere before dispersing globally. This finding reinforces the idea that ants played a crucial role in shaping ecosystems and biodiversity across the planet.
Overall, the discovery of the Vulcanidris cratensis fossil in Brazil not only adds to our understanding of ant evolution but also highlights the importance of studying fossils to uncover the mysteries of the past. Ants, with their complex social structures and diverse adaptations, continue to fascinate researchers and offer valuable insights into the history of life on Earth.
