An almost overlooked fossil discovered in a Brazilian museum collection has revealed the oldest ant specimen known to science, according to new research. The prehistoric ant lived among dinosaurs 113 million years ago — several millions of years before previously found fossilized ants — and had an unusual way to kill its prey. Anderson Lepeco, a researcher at the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, said he came across the “extraordinary” specimen in September 2024 while examining a fossil collection housed at the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo. The museum has one of the world’s largest collections of fossilized insects and contains specimens from northeastern Brazil’s Crato Formation, a geological deposit renowned for its exceptional fossil preservation. Preserved in limestone, the newly described extinct insect is what’s known as a hell ant, a member of a subfamily called Haidomyrmecinae that lived during the Cretaceous period between 66 million and 145 million years ago and is not related to any ant alive today, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Current Biology. The fossil species, which has been named Vulcanidris cratensis, had scythe-like jaws that it likely used to pin or impale prey. “I was just shocked to see that weird projection in front of this (insect’s) head,” Lepeco, the study’s lead author, said. “Other hell ants have been described with odd mandibles, but always as amber specimens.” It’s rare to find insects preserved in rock. Other hell ants from the Cretaceous have been found entombed in amber from France and Myanmar but they date back to around 99 million years ago. That a hell ant lived before that in what’s now Brazil means ants were already widely distributed across the planet at an early point in their evolution, the study authors noted. The discovery sheds light on how ants evolved during the early Cretaceous, a time of significant change. It also offers some insight into unusual features in ant species of this period that didn’t survive the mass extinction that ended the dinosaur era, the researchers said. Anatomical features lost to time Today, ants are one of the most conspicuous and abundant groups of insects on the planet, found on all continents except Antarctica, the study noted. However, ants haven’t always been dominant. They evolved during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous, roughly 145 million years ago, when ant ancestors diverged from the same group that would give rise to wasps and bees. It wasn’t until after an asteroid strike doomed the dinosaurs and other species to extinction 66 million years ago that ants became the most common insect found in the fossil record, according to the study. The fossil is a “pretty big deal,” said Phil Barden, an associate professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology who studies the evolutionary history of insects. “This new find now represents the oldest ant known, it extends the known fossil record for ants by about ten million years,” Barden, who wasn’t involved in the study, said via email. “Although fossil ants have been described since the 19th century…Until now, it was not clear if the absence of ants older than 100 million years was because they were not around or just that they were not preserved in deposits where people were looking,” he added. The newly identified species also had some wasp-like characteristics indicative of the common ancestry between the two creatures. For example, the ant’s wings had far more veins than those of living ants, Lepeco said. Micro-computed tomography imaging — a 3D-imaging technique that employs X-rays to view inside the ant — revealed that the bug was closely related to hell ants previously known only from Burmese amber fossils. What was most striking about the ant was its unusual anatomical features. Modern ants have jaws that grasp laterally — side to side. However, this ant possessed scythe-like jaws that ran parallel to its head and projected forward from near the eyes, the researchers noted in the study. “It could have worked as a kind of forklift, moving upwards” as the ant preyed on other extinct insects, Lepeco explained via email. “The intricate morphology suggests that even these earliest ants had already evolved sophisticated predatory strategies significantly different from their modern counterparts,” Lepeco added. A previous version of this story inaccurately dated the period in which the fossil ant species lived.
‘Extraordinary’ fossil reveals the oldest ant species known to science
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Oldest Known Ant Species Discovered in Brazilian Fossil Collection"
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TruthLens AI Summary
A remarkable fossil unearthed from a Brazilian museum collection has unveiled the oldest known ant species to science, dating back 113 million years, significantly predating previous ant fossils. This discovery was made by Anderson Lepeco, a researcher at the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, who came across the specimen in September 2024 while exploring a vast collection of fossilized insects from the renowned Crato Formation. The fossil, which has been named Vulcanidris cratensis, belonged to a unique group of ants known as hell ants, specifically from the subfamily Haidomyrmecinae. These insects thrived during the Cretaceous period, between 66 million and 145 million years ago, and are distinct from any modern ant species. The fossil was preserved in limestone, a rare occurrence for insects, and featured scythe-like jaws that likely allowed it to pin or impale its prey, showcasing an advanced predatory strategy that diverges from the methods employed by contemporary ants.
The significance of this find extends beyond its age, as it offers new insights into the evolutionary history of ants during a transformative period in Earth's history. Prior to this discovery, the oldest known ant fossils were found in amber and dated to approximately 99 million years ago, suggesting that ants were more widely distributed across the globe during the early Cretaceous than previously understood. The study's authors emphasize that this finding not only fills a crucial gap in the fossil record, extending it by about ten million years, but also indicates that even in their early evolutionary stages, ants exhibited complex anatomical features and predatory behaviors. The fossil’s unique characteristics, such as its wasp-like features and the structure of its jaws, highlight the evolutionary link between ants and their relatives, the wasps and bees. This discovery, therefore, not only enriches our understanding of ant evolution but also sheds light on the ecological dynamics of the Cretaceous period, a time marked by the dominance of dinosaurs and significant environmental changes.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The discovery of the oldest ant species, named Vulcanidris cratensis, is a significant contribution to our understanding of evolutionary biology and the history of insects. This finding not only sheds light on the ecological dynamics of the Cretaceous period but also challenges previous assumptions about the timeline of ant evolution.
Purpose Behind the Publication
This news article aims to highlight a remarkable scientific discovery that could captivate the public's interest in paleontology and evolutionary biology. By emphasizing the age and unique characteristics of the fossil, the article seeks to engage readers and promote awareness of scientific research and its implications for our understanding of biodiversity.
Public Perception
The article likely intends to foster a sense of wonder and curiosity regarding ancient life forms. By framing the fossil as “extraordinary” and emphasizing its age, it aims to instill pride in scientific achievements and enhance public interest in museums and natural history.
Potential Concealments
While the article primarily focuses on the fossil discovery, it does not directly address any broader environmental concerns or current issues in biodiversity loss. This could imply a conscious choice to emphasize a positive scientific narrative while avoiding discussion of contemporary ecological challenges.
Manipulative Nature of the Article
The article's manipulative potential is low, given its factual focus on a scientific discovery without sensationalism. However, the language used—terms like "extraordinary" and "shocked"—serves to dramatize the discovery, which might lead to heightened public interest but does not misrepresent the facts.
Trustworthiness of the News
The article appears to be reliable, as it cites credible sources and is published in a reputable journal, Current Biology. The specifics about the fossil's characteristics and the research methodology contribute to its credibility.
Societal Implications
This discovery could influence public interest in natural history and promote funding for paleontological research. It may also encourage educational initiatives focused on evolution and biodiversity.
Target Audience
The article seems to resonate with communities interested in science, particularly those focused on paleontology, ecology, and evolution. It may appeal to educators and students, as well as casual readers fascinated by ancient life.
Impact on Markets
While this discovery is unlikely to directly impact stock markets, it may influence companies involved in educational materials, museum exhibitions, or ecological conservation efforts.
Global Power Dynamics
There is no significant connection between this discovery and current geopolitical issues. However, by promoting scientific inquiry, it indirectly supports the notion of knowledge as a form of soft power.
AI Involvement
The writing style of the article suggests that it may have been enhanced by AI tools, particularly in structuring its narrative and ensuring clarity. While the core content is based on factual research, AI could have aided in the presentation to make the information accessible and engaging.
Overall, this article serves as an informative piece about a significant paleontological finding while promoting the importance of scientific research in understanding our planet's history.