A new fossil ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Middle to Late Miocene Fuzawa Formation in Tadami Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
Abstract
In this paper, we described an ant fossil discovered in the Middle to Late Miocene Fuzawa Formation, Aizu region, Fukushima, Japan. This fossil was described as a new species of the Subfamily Myrmicinae Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1835, Paraphaenogaster tanemurai sp. nov., having long, straight third cubital vein reaching apical margin, and long hindfemur. The genus Paraphaenogaster is extinct, with 22 species reported worldwide, but its distribution is centered in Europe. In Asia, only four species are known from China and one from Japan. This study adds a second new species from Japan, suggesting that this genus also exhibited diversity in East Asia. This is the first discovery of insect fossil from the Fuzawa Formation and the second report of a new ant fossil from Japan.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Fossil Insects in Amber
Fern and Epiphyte Biology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Paleontological Research
- Publisher
- The Paleontological Society of Japan
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 0
- Pages
- 9–16
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN