Afropone

The two species in this genus are known from the late Cretaceous deposits in Orapa, Botswana. These fossils are approximately 91 million years old.

Identification
Description. – Head with occipital margin rounded. Eyes well developed. Female mandible short, evenly curved, lacking masticatory margin. Scutum flat. Propodeum rounded or weakly angular in side view, with no spines or teeth. Hind tibia with two spurs. Fore wing with cells 1+2r, 3r, mcu,and possibly rm closed (3r is inferred as closed based on the thickened R at its junction with Rs which is not preserved; rm is inferred as closed because of the general plesiomorphy of the venation). Pterostigma rather small, elongate, margined by veins. Vein 1Rs directed obliquely apically, meeting R1 at an acute angle. Crossvein cu-a joining M+Cu slightly proximal to 1M. Petiole with moderately developed node, clearly onstricted at junction with gaster. 1st and 2nd gastral (3rd and 4th abdominal) segments separated by distinct constriction.

Nomenclature

 * † AFROPONE [incertae sedis in Ponerinae]
 * †Afropone Dlussky, Brothers & Rasnitsyn, 2004: 5. Type-species: †Afropone oculata, by original designation.

Additional References

 * Dlussky, G. M.; Brother, D. J.; Rasnitsyn, A. P. 2004. The first Late Cretaceous ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from southern Africa, with comments on the origin of the Myrmicinae. Insect Systematics & Evolution 35(1): 1-13