extinct form genus bulldog ants subfamily family contains described species fossils placed genus level described stage early deposits described species fossil british_columbia canada second fossil usa ants large largest specimens collected reaching centimetres behaviour ants similar extant ants solitary foraging nesting soil trees leaving trail food sources poor preservation ants phylogenetic position unclear type species designated ants classified writers classified insect order accepted instead remains history classification fossils studied described cambridge massachusetts published description form genus collection species formally described identified genus level annals journal article genus combination subfamily latin meaning having nature commonly naming fossil taxa phylogenetic position unclear incomplete poor preservation collected specimens paper described form genus included description species including colleagues classified latin uncertain placement subfamily specimens poorly preserved assigned tribe paper switzerland classified insect order comprises bees ants critical characters identify ants family carried despite comments report russian comment regard views instead accepts classification colleagues description cover erected form genus encompassing category fossil ants belonging subfamily lack details needed placement described genera preservation quality positioning individual resulting obscured details form genus designated type species international code nomenclature described single compression fossil found near british_columbia incomplete specimen numbered currently preserved collections housed british_columbia cover coined specific epithet latin hercules reference notably large morphology type specimen divine hero greek mythology son species species notably larger size worker estimated millimetres life size comparable ants genus shape narrow waist located distinct species similar structure genus shape size distinct overall assigned length despite poorly preserved appearance legs long comparison body length robust unknown species sting preservation specimen size single known worker larger studied queens queens slightly larger species indicates likely distinct species incomplete nature type specimen species placed second species described known specimen counterpart known housed collections respectively species chosen cover reference mythological notable size specimen partial worker queen incomplete notable portion missing species separated ants large size approaching centimetres ants size range members genus placed distinguishable shape structure antennae length legs notably shorter head round flattened compound eyes present small half length head head small proportion legs large long poorly preserved known specimen preserved fine detail characters poorly preserved exact placement confirmed future fossils better preserved clarify position unlike described species species currently deposited collections recovered unnamed formation near town british_columbia specimen incomplete head portions missing adult estimated length life centimetres right portions legs preserved left legs missing spurs long short narrow incomplete nature specimen position preserved portions gender identifiable presence wings indicates reproductive adult small size specimen fore wing length approximately millimetres separates species members type locality species near basis cover choosing specific epithet combined genus latin word meaning river meaning origin place justification placing incomplete preservation specimens additional specimens placed form genus specific species specimen centimetres long partial male recovered site near british_columbia generally robust nature specimen genus details needed placement genera present specimen possible queen worker estimated centimetres long life lateral preservation specimen characters placing specimen defined species obscured absent specimen recovered north west republic washington ecology colleagues suggested habits ants like extinct taxa similar extant relatives workers forage trees vegetation capture prey feed ground trees making nesting insect like ants likely lay trails recruit food sources ants solitary relying eyes hunt prey navigational purposes flight probably occurred late spring summer extant relatives
Myrmeciites