Oecophylla crassinoda

Introduction

Oecophylla crassinoda is an extinct species of weaver ant known only from fossil specimens preserved in Baltic amber from the Late Eocene epoch, approximately 30-40 million years ago . This species was originally described as Oecophylla brevinodis by Wheeler in 1915,but that name was already in use, so it was renamed to crassinoda in 1922 . Only the worker caste has been found in the fossil record. Based on fossil morphology, researchers believe this species had a comparatively short alitrunk and antennae, with a short nodiform petiole that prevented it from elevating its gaster . The apical tooth of its mandible was shorter and thicker than in living weaver ant species . Unlike modern weaver ants that live in foliage and construct leaf nests, Oecophylla crassinoda likely moved on tree trunks and large branches rather than in the canopy . This species coexisted with another fossil weaver ant, Oecophylla brischkei, in Baltic amber deposits .