extinct genus ants existed cretaceous approximately million years ago specimens collected found embedded amber exposed cliffs new_jersey wife published paper describing naming described mosaic features mix characteristics modern ants possessed feature unique ants possessed like form short wasp like teeth middle hind legs double spurs antennae form midway ants having short segment long flexible additional species described respectively genus earliest known ants earth time considered evolutionary link ants suggested ants diverged wasp ancestors later studies originate different clade shows resemblance extant primitive ants members tribe scientists doubted nature ants believed possible absence short key traits ants additional specimens collected proved identified fossil evidence slender body large compound eyes suggest foraging socially ground open areas including ants likely vanished end taxonomy discovery fossils fossil records ants cretaceous amber oldest social insects time extended earliest known time described found tennessee great diversity fossils found baltic amber amber prompted search ants cretaceous age link ants non social link shed light early origins ants fossils social insect existed discovered early evolution ants remained mystery single fossil subject possible significance evolution ants single discovered siberia described author noting wing closely resembles families close connections origin ants problems fossil single wing scientists explain answer insect key body traits place fossils collected wife trip collecting specimens exposure near new_jersey found large deep red piece amber embedded clay containing number insects including flies approximate age fossils dates cretaceous million years ago princeton_university notified carpenter recent discovery arranged transfer specimens studied examined time existence ants cretaceous age significant ants likely detected amber site previously collected discovery ants confirmed existence cretaceous ants appearance workers closely matched ants looked like result finds colleagues erected new subfamily designated genus meaning wasp type genus article published journal science published paper included description named wife species collected moved accidentally destroyed specimen numbered collected sunrise landing site near subsequently donated museum destroyed amber accidentally cracked half separating workers later stored wooden cabinet uncovered draw fossil insects years piece eventually deteriorated appearing dark fractured description ants looked like somewhat accurate compared actual specimens characteristics inaccurate believed like appeared development like case proven false opposite specimens like appeared development like based drawings suggested ants long multiple teeth toothed claws broadly examination collected specimens shows ants short claws separated remained sole member fossil closely resembling species collected canadian amber deposits wilson provided description fossil naming notes close resemblance fossils key characteristics strongly support inclusion notes specimens ants recorded canadian amber vast diversity insects found amber prior discovery stretching far 19th century discovery specimens canada indicates subfamily widespread northern hemisphere late cretaceous new fossils collected white oaks new_jersey specimens later donated studied provided description journal article naming age fossils estimated million years russian elevated subfamily family level renaming accommodate fossil insects studied soviet_union placement short lived wilson new morphological evidence elevated family subfamily level studied cretaceous ants russian retained classification remained reasons segments antenna short structure antennae allow brood food manipulation impossible classify relatives ants despite authors notes cite study ants manipulate items antennae implied feature found antenna far away close distance allow manipulation food issue present unique feature found ants despite previous claims saying including likely solitary semi communal confirmed existence newly collected fossils confirms relatives definitely social evidence eventually reinstated subfamily members sources published formally recognise family level additional doubts surrounding nature relatives emerged paper concluded fossil ants found cretaceous amber new_jersey closer ants quickly dismissed overwhelming evidence supporting placement fact authors cited unpublished disregarded key traits found ants evolution ants genus considered primitive family body presents wasp like structure like characteristics like characteristics primitive compared modern ants intermediate primitive ants presence structure resembling segment found posterior portion structure general physical appearance concludes species ants absence mean likely wasp instead exactly known group descendants members family particularly genus similar wilson placed genus closest extant later study published derives ants later clade hold close relationship extant primitive ants australian dinosaur recognised primitive living today ants closely resemble genera resemble ants believed ancestors subfamily thought ancestor elongated known feature ants considered primitive short derived theory proven false specimens small currently phylogenetic analyses recognise sister group modern living ants meaning stem group means closely related ants contrast organism crown group recent common ancestor modern ants descendants closely related related end including ants vanished description ants distinguished ants extremely primitive body structure small narrow wasp like short basal segment antenna exceptionally long times longer pattern shallow grooves head developed end absent segment middle body noticeably dome shaped separated abdominal segment parts posterior body cuticle outer body covered scattered spare different types hair like structures body structure shows ants medium sized workers known described specimen canadian amber poorly preserved collected amber specimens numbered respectively currently preserved ottawa canada body similar narrower head head millimetre wide robust segment extremely short long second segment twice long width length head millimetres measure millimetres length varies ranging millimetres ants small measuring millimetres wasp like antennae far apart second segment longer segments unusual ants case occurs short millimetres compound eyes long convex situated middle head face insect broad convex developed slender closely resembles measuring millimetres long slender distinct features separated region present situated raised separated measures millimetres acute protruding measuring millimetres present legs long slender spurs present claws median tooth worker specimens little morphological differences range size head segments antenna tend smaller specimen slightly larger short scattered body measuring millimetres colour specimens appears light brown exhibits notably wide oval shaped openings body separation posterior portion twice diameter cuticle situated anterior portion referring thinner contrast cuticle surrounding notably transparent oddly shaped chamber seen beneath cuticle likely chamber hardened wall covered whitish mass located region meaning chamber said original size found small piece amber barely larger incomplete specimen numbered currently preserved new_york_city breach surface amber completely absent coined specific epithet original collector donated specimen museum species species portion having elongated ventral lobe broad shallow antennae size head oval shaped eyes distinguish ants body parts preserved legs head head notably large shorter head long millimetres wide eyes measuring millimetres covered sparse millimetres present ants head precisely located dorsal base antennae emerges equally long eyes developed located antennae meaning bears middle small contain teeth antennae moderately long short shorter measures millimetres seen dorsal segment functional base leg bearing inflated large opening small noticeable located away hind legs moderately long longer combined length distant number stiff varies example seven pairs fourth pairs single tooth absent specimens additional specimen described possible male assigned specific species specimen numbered collected currently preserved entire body male specimen completely preserved genera based morphology workers assigning males species genus rarely taken colony size structure absence basal structure similar worker small measuring millimetres present stiff hairs found large eyes face pairs long smaller short length main segments antenna slightly longer times total length antenna millimetres covered bubbles amber pair found near mouth seen protruding millimetres length millimetres pairs long apex pair spurs hind measure millimetres times length shape wings consistent seven found anterior portions millimetres long second segments equally long segments cover thirds segments abdomen difficult examine layer covering area pairs ecology scientists believed thought solitary semi communal statements include morphology prevent workers transporting larvae engaging transfer food proportions similar able feed larvae presence shows highest level organisation animal insect lived colonies possibly acts order nest soil leaf litter colony brood large eyes long thin suggests workers ground open fossil evidence suggests socially worker ants
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