Zigrasimecia Barden And Grimaldi

Barden, Phillip & Grimaldi, David, 2013, A New Genus of Highly Specialized Ants in Cretaceous Burmese Amber (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 3681 (4), pp. 405-412 : 407

Zigrasimecia Barden And Grimaldi , new genus

Diagnosis, gyne: Based on unique dealate specimen. Similar to Sphecomyrmodes based on structure of the mandible (with only two large teeth: one apical, one subapical); ocelli large, scape very short (slightly less than twice the length of pedicel), 12 antennomeres, eyes relatively small, and clypeal margin with row of peg-like denticles. Differs from Sphecomyrmodes by the flattened, broad head with irregular posterodorsal margin; very broad, concave clypeal margin with many more (ca. 30) denticles, plus two shorter rows of denticles ventrally; mandibles about half the length, with dense brush of spicule-like setae on oral surface; setae-coated labrum; presence of raised toruli and shallow lateral antennal scrobes; vertex of head with pair of oval, melanized, rugose patches.

Type species. Z. tonsora , new species.

Etymology. Patronym, for Mr. James Zigras, and –mecia, a common suffix for ant genera. In acknowledgment of Mr. Zigras’ generosity in loaning this and many other rare and scientifically valuable specimens from his collection of Burmese amber.