Prionomyrmex

There are two species in this genus from the Baltic Amber (Eocene). This genus appears to be ancestral to the genus Myrmecia from Australia.

Identification
Worker. - First funicular joint of antennae about half as long as the second, the second the longest, and the succeeding joints gradually decreasing in length to the pentultimate, which is a little shorter than the last joint. Surface of body smooth, very finely shagreened, but not punctate or rugulose. Hairs moderately abundant, erect or suberect, short on the head, thorax, legs and scapes, somewhat longer on the abdomen. Pubescence indistinct, execept in one specimen (B 259), in which it seems to be abundant but glued to the body by a white film.

Biology
The long legs, strong claws and remarkable mandibles of the worker indicate that P. longiceps was predaceous, and in all probability, an arboreal ant.

Castes
Worker, Male, Queen

Additional References

 * Wheeler, W. M. 1915i [1914]. The ants of the Baltic Amber. Schr. Phys.-Ökon. Ges. Königsb. 55: 1-142


 * Baroni Urbani, C. 2000. Rediscovery of the Baltic amber ant genus Prionomyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and its taxonomic consequences. Eclogae Geol. Helv. 93: 471-480

Baroni Urbani, C. 2003a. The Baltic amber species of Prionomyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Mitt. Geol.-Paläontol. Inst. Univ. Hambg. 87: 141-146