Gesomyrmex pulcher, Dlussky, G. M., Wappler, T. & Wedmann, S., 2009

Dlussky, G. M., Wappler, T. & Wedmann, S., 2009, Fossil ants of the genus Gesomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Eocene of Europe and remarks on the evolution of arboreal ant communities., Zootaxa 2031, pp. 1-20 : 11

Gesomyrmex pulcher sp. nov.

(Fig. 4A and Fig. 6G)

Derivation of the name. Pulcher is Latin for beautiful.

Holotype: SMF Mei 10999 ([[queen]]).

Type locality and horizon. Grube Messel, Hesse, Germany. Messel formation, Middle Eocene, ca. 47 Ma (Mertz & Renne 2005).

Description. Gyne. BL 4.8 mm. Head 1.3 times longer than wide, with parallel sides and distinctively concave posterior margin. Clypeus longitudinally striated. Anterior clypeal margin projected as rounded lobe. Eyes large, ovate, head 2.6 times longer than maximum eye diameter. Antenna 10-segmented. Scape reaches the middle of eye; head 3.5 times longer than scape. Funicular joints about as long as thick, or shorter than thick. Mandible triangular with 4 massive blunt teeth. Mesosoma narrower than head. Scutum a little wider than long. Scutellum 1.5 times wider than long. Head and most part of mesosoma yellowish brown, mandibles, central part of scutum, whole scutellum and median parts of gastral tergites dark brown. Legs yellow.

Measurements (in mm). Holotype Mei 10999: AL 1.35, HL 0.95, HW 0.76, SL 0.28, ED 0.37.