The oldest Cenozoic ant fossil: †<i>Tyrannomecia</i> gen. nov. (Formicidae: Myrmeciinae) from the Palaeocene Menat Formation (France)

A new genus and species of myrmeciine ants, also called bulldog is described illustrated from the Palaeocene Menat (France) as Tyrannomecia inopinata gen. et sp. nov. This taxon represents oldest representative subfamily provides calibration point for total clade Myrmeciinae. It shows apomorphic characters used to define Myrmeciinae: mandibles elongate such that their length three-quarters or more head length, third abdominal segment (AIII) substantially smaller than fourth (AIV), with its height distinctly less one. easily differentiated all other ants owing petiole a conspicuous tooth located dorsally on posterior declivity, considered belong stem-Myrmeciinae. Aside aspects, this taxon, possessing hunter morphology, discuss implications recovery after K/Pg.