tribe belonging subfamily established members tribe extant extinct tribe considered subfamily similarities widely accepted scientific community ants identified long slender bodies powerful elongated ants found europe possibly nesting trees preferring jungle habitats today found australia preferring old growth woodland surrounded trees workers feed compound eyes prey navigational purposes owing primitive nature recruit food sources create trails colonies small consisting individuals taxonomy originally described american journal article ants baltic amber originally placed subfamily journal assigned sole member tribe moved tribe noting similar morphological characteristics genera described new fossil species baltic amber named examining specimens newly described species noted relative genera similar separated renaming tribe later treated subfamily known separated genera moved subfamily treated tribe provided additional evidence favour proposed classification proposal rejected community extinct accepted members tribe description distribution members distinguished members reduced lacking lateral present ants characterised large size slender bodies elongated powerful lengths vary millimetres overall body structure shows primitive smaller species measuring long body slender like elongated specialised elongated triangular similar distinguished shape ants existed europe late collected baltic amber russia germany austrian collected baltic amber exact location discovery unclear lost type material nesting species living trees instead ground assumed long legs sharp claws elongated preferred jungle habitat low elevations found australia genus known original specimens collected western_australia december expressed doubt type locality said specimens probably collected western end great australian bight south feared extinct notable attempts find failed taylor rediscovered away original collection site colonies found old growth woodland species abundant small colonies known restricted distribution listing critically endangered behaviour ecology share similar relatives ground trees low vegetation feeding workers drink insects capture larvae known ants active day night nocturnal ground prefers cold nights ants large compound eyes relying vision prey navigational purposes primitive simplified social life workers genera recruit food sources leave trail suggesting ants solitary ants hosts female parasites predators unknown ants queens meaning rudimentary wings render population structure possibly adaptation small populated colonies unusual ecological requirements begin emerge late summer early autumn march april colony founding queens considerable depths underground queens start lay eggs spring queens produce single generation ants annually eggs months fully develop colony mature individuals present nest colonies colony founding occur colony queen dies taken daughters method colony founding render nest immortal
Prionomyrmecini