Formica species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Formicinae) in late Eocene Rovno amber

By

Radchenko, Alexander
Perkovsky, Evgeny E.
Vasilenko, Dmitry

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2021

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

82

Pages

237--251

Subjects

European ambers , Formica ribbeckei , new species , Paleontology , syninclusions , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.82.64599

 

Abstract

A new species, Formica ribbeckei Radchenko & Perkovsky, sp. nov., is described based on four workers from late Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine). It most resembles F. flori Mayr, 1868 but differs from the latter mainly by the 5-segmented maxillary palps with the preapical segment subequal in length to the apical one, and by the shorter first funicular segment. Fossil F. luteola Presl, 1822, F. trigona Presl, 1822, F. macrognatha Presl, 1822 and F. quadrata Holl, 1829 are considered incertae sedis in Formicidae. Thus, ten valid Formica Linnaeus, 1758 species (including F. ribbeckei) are known now from late Eocene European ambers. The diversity of Formica in the early and middle Eocene deposits of Eurasia and North America is considered. It is assumed that the genus Formica most likely arose in the early Eocene.