Scientists discover this 16-million-year-old predator lost in amber forever

Researchers have uncovered a 16-million-year-old predator ant trapped in amber, tiny but fierce, this fossil rewrites the story of ant evolution and survival. Named Basiceros enana, this ancient Caribbean dirt ant is not only the smallest ever found in its lineage but also reveals a surprising ancient habitat and remarkable survival tactics.

Captured perfectly in Dominican amber, tree resin fossilized millions of years ago, Basiceros enana offers an unprecedented glimpse into a shadowy world of ants that were once thought to be exclusive to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The discovery by a team at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), led by PhD candidate Gianpiero Fiorentino and Associate Professor Phil Barden, flips previous assumptions about these elusive “dirt ants.”

“Finding one today is exciting given how well they stay hidden, but captured in amber, it’s like finding a diamond,” said Fiorentino. This tiny ant measures just 5.13 millimeters, nearly half the size of its modern relatives, some of which grow to 9 millimeters.

The fossil’s delicate preservation allowed scientists to use advanced Micro-CT scanning and 3D reconstruction, revealing features invisible to the naked eye.

Contrary to prior beliefs that these ants shrank over time, this fossil shows they actually grew larger, almost doubling in size over 20 million years. Basiceros enana also had two layers of specialized hairs designed to trap dirt and leaf litter, camouflaging it expertly in its environment, a survival strategy called crypsis that has lasted for millions of years.

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The fossil’s predatory nature is clear from its 12-toothed mandibles and trapezoid-shaped head, suggesting this tiny hunter was a formidable player in its ecosystem. Yet, despite these adaptations, Basiceros ants vanished from the Caribbean during the Miocene epoch, likely due to ecological shifts and increased competition.“The presence of Basiceros in Dominican amber suggests ancient land bridges may have provided pathways for these ants to traverse from the mainland to the Caribbean,” explained Barden. “This fossil helps us piece together why some species survive and others disappear.”“Over a third of ant genera have gone extinct on the island of modern-day Dominican Republic since the formation of Dominican amber. Understanding these patterns is crucial as we face modern extinction threats.”

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