1978/09/15 by Robert W. Taylor · 6 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Fossil Insects in Amber #Plant and animal studies #Biology #Living fossil #Hymenoptera #Eusociality #ANT #Genus #Zoology #Evolutionary biology #Anatomy #Ecology
paper · doi:10.1126/science.201.4360.979
openalex publication_date 1978/09/15 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
The Australian Nothomyrmecia macrops is the most primitive living ant. Until recently rediscovered, it was known only from two 46-year-old specimens, both workers. All developmental stages and adult castes are now known. Adults have stridulatory organs placed ventrally, between abdominal sternites III (with plectrum) and IV (with stridulitrum), differing from all other Hymenoptera, where these organs are dorsal. The chromosome number is the highest recorded for Hymenoptera (2n = 92). Virgin queens are brachypterous. Other anatomical and behavioral features are reviewed. Most are primitive for ants, many being shared with Myrmecia, another primitive Australian genus. Fundamental differences in abdominal structure place Myrmecia near the base of the poneroid phylad of ant subfamilies, while Nothomyrmecia is a primitive formicoid.