{{Short description|Extinct genus of ants}} {{Speciesbox | fossil_range = {{Fossilrange|Lutetian|Lutetian|Lutetian}} | image2 = Agroecomyrmex duisburgi BMNHP18831 01.jpg | image2_caption = Close-up of the head of ''Agroecomyrmex duisburgi'' | display_parents = 3 | genus = Agroecomyrmex | parent_authority = Wheeler, 1910 | species = duisburgi | authority = (Mayr, 1868) | synonyms = *''Myrmica duisburgi'' <small>Mayr, 1868</small> }}
'''''Agroecomyrmex''''' is an extinct genus of ants in the formicid subfamily Agroecomyrmecinae, for which it is the type genus. The genus contains a single described species, '''''Agroecomyrmex duisburgi'''''. ''Agroecomyrmex'' is known from a group of Middle Eocene fossils which were found in Europe.<ref name="Wheeler1915">{{cite journal |last1=Wheeler |first1=W. M. |year=1915 |title= The ants of the Baltic amber |journal=Schriften der Physikalisch-Okonomischen Gesellschaft zu Konigsberg |volume=55 |issue=4 |pages=56–59}}</ref>
== History and classification == When described ''Agroecomyrmex'' was known only from five separate fossils, the holotype worker, number 639/10246, plus three paratype workers and a single paratype female, which are fossilized as inclusions in transparent chunks of Baltic amber.<ref name="Wheeler1915"/> Baltic amber is approximately forty six million years old, having been deposited during Lutetian stage of the Middle Eocene. There is debate on what plant family the amber was produced by, with evidence supporting relatives of either an ''Agathis'' relative or a ''Pseudolarix'' relative.<ref name="Hendrickx2012">{{Cite journal |last1=Henderickx |first1=H. |last2=Tafforeau |first2=P. |last3=Soriano |first3=C |year=2012 |title=Phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography reveals the morphology of a partially visible new ''Pseudogarypus'' in Baltic amber (Pseudoscorpiones: Pseudogarypidae) |journal= Palaeontologia Electronica |volume=15 |issue=2;17A,11p |pages = 1–11 |url=http://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2012-issue-2-articles/252-pseudogarypus-synchrotron}}</ref> All the type specimens were collected over 125 years ago, and when first described were part of the University of Königsberg amber collection. The fossils were first studied by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr who placed the species in the living genus ''Myrmica''. Mayr's 1868 type description of the new species was published in the journal ''Beitrage zur Naturkunde Preussens''.<ref name="Wheeler1915"/> The species was moved to the new genus ''Agroecomyrmex'' in a short note in 1910 by William Morton Wheeler. Wheeler expanded upon and gave a full description of the new genus in his 1915 paper ''The ants of the Baltic amber''.<ref name="Wheeler1915"/> In the description Wheeler recognized the very distinct morphology of the species, and that it was not closely related to the ''Myrmica'' species. Since its description two other related genera have been described, the late Eocene genus ''Eulithomyrmex'' from the Florissant Formation of Colorado, and the living genus ''Tatuidris'' from Central and South America.<ref name="Donoso2012">{{cite journal |last1=Donoso |first1=D. A. |year=2012 |title=Additions to the taxonomy of the armadillo ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, ''Tatuidris''). |journal= Zootaxa |volume=3503 |pages=61–81 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.3503.1.5 |url=http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/zt03503p081.pdf}}</ref> Placement of the group has changed several times, with the genera being placed in the Myrmicinae tribe Agroecomyrmecini from 1930 until 2003.<ref name="Carpenter1930">{{cite journal |last1=Carpenter |first1=F. M. |year=1930 |title=The fossil ants of North America. |journal=Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology |volume=70 |pages=1–66 |url=http://antcat.org/documents/619/6082.pdf}}</ref> The placement of the tribe was challenged in 2003 by Barry Bolton who suggested a closer relationship between the group and the "poneromorph" subfamilies. in addition to the suggested relationship, Bolton moved the tribe from Myrmicinae to a new subfamily, Agroecomyrmecinae.<ref name="Donoso2012"/>
== Description == The new genus was described from a full alate female and four workers, all of the workers being preserved in a curled up position, obscuring details. Overall it is estimated the female would have been around {{convert|5.5|mm|in}} long while the workers range between {{convert|4|and|5|mm|in}}. ''A. duisburgi'' individuals have heads which are nearly square, being just slightly longer than wide, and slightly wider behind than in front. Individuals have small, very convexly shaped eyes which are placed near the back edge of the head capsule and completely lack ocelli. The mandibles are short and rounded, and have 5 unequal teeth. The antennae are composed of thirteen segments, the terminal three forming a distinct club shape. The head and thorax have a strongly reticulated structuring to the exoskeleton and having an overall black coloration.<ref name="Wheeler1915"/> ''Agroecomyrmex'' can be separated from ''Eulithomyrmex'' based on the features of the head, with ''Agroecomyrmex'' displaying larger mandibles and a smaller antennal club.<ref name="Carpenter1930"/>
== References == {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== *{{Commonscat-inline|italic=1}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q9142609}}
Category:Monotypic fossil ant genera Category:Lutetian insects Category:Fossil taxa described in 1868 Category:Fossil taxa described in 1910 Category:Eocene insects of Europe Category:Agroecomyrmecinae Category:Baltic amber