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Oldest Ant Fossil Found: 113 Million-Year-Old Hell Ant Discovery Reveals Ancient Predatory Behavior


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Discover the oldest ant fossil ever found! A 113 million-year-old hell ant (Vulcanidris cratensis) fossil has been uncovered, providing groundbreaking insights into ant evolution and predatory behavior. This fossil discovery from the Cretaceous period reveals scythe-like jaws that early ants used to hunt prey alongside dinosaurs. Scientists have used CT scanning technology to reveal extraordinary details of this ancient insect, including its complex wing structure, which shares features with wasps.


This fossilized ant extends the known timeline of ant evolution by 10 million years, offering new clues about how insects adapted to survive in the prehistoric world. Preserved in limestone, this rare specimen sheds light on the early predatory strategies of ants and their divergence from wasp-like ancestors.

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Daily SumUpBy Daily SumUp