A new species of the iron maiden ant based on an alate female from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: †Zigrasimecia)

The iron maiden ant, which was first described as †Zigrasimecia Barden & Grimaldi, 2013, received its nickname for bearing a unique mandible and ferocious mouthparts covered by spiky, columnar-shaped denticles. Here, we describe a new species based on an alate female preserved in 99-Ma Kachin amber – †Zigrasimecia goldingot sp. nov. – which displays several diagnostic features shared with the known species of this genus. Such features include the peg-like mandibular setae, setae of the labrum, clypeal denticles, and an omega-shaped head capsule. Our findings suggest a high diversity among †Zigrasimeciinae and support the grouping of this subfamily. Our work adds to the biodiversity of †Zigrasimecia and †Zigrasimeciinae, and explores the morphological and functional aspects, as well as the early appearance of the unique mouthparts in this ancient ant group.