### Unearthing the Past: Discovery of the Oldest Known Ant Fossil in Brazil - A groundbreaking discovery in Brazil has revealed a **113-million-year-old fossil** of a "hell ant," specifically the species *Vulcanidris cratensis*. This fossil, found in the Crato Formation, is believed to be the oldest ant fossil ever identified, predating previous findings and providing new insights into the evolution of ants during the age of dinosaurs [https://www.latestly.com/socially/world/brazil-scientists-discover-113-million-year-old-hell-ant-fossil-with-scythe-like-jaws-in-crato-formation-6817020.html][https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-discover-the-oldest-known-ant-fossil-a-113-million-year-old-hell-ant-preserved-in-rock-in-brazil-180986509]. ### Understanding the Significance of the Discovery 1. **Historical Context**: The fossil dates back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, indicating that ants have existed for much longer than previously thought [https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025/04/24/hell-ant-fossil-brazil]. 2. **Unique Features**: The hell ant is characterized by its **scythe-like jaws**, which suggest it had predatory adaptations that were quite advanced for its time [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/oldest-known-ant-preserved-113-million-year-old-brazilian-fossil-5090391]. 3. **Evolutionary Insights**: This discovery challenges existing theories about ant evolution and distribution, suggesting that early ants were more widespread than previously believed [https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/which-is-the-oldest-ant-ever-discovered/article69491942.ece]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Fossil Age**: 113 million years old, making it the oldest known ant fossil [https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/hell-ant-with-scythe-like-jaws-may-be-oldest-ant-fossil-ever-discovered]. - **Species Identification**: The fossil has been classified as *Vulcanidris cratensis*, part of a lineage known as hell ants [https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/science-technology/oldest-known-ant-preserved-in-113-million-year-old-brazilian-fossil]. - **Preservation**: The specimen was found preserved in limestone, which has contributed to its remarkable state of preservation [https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/the-worlds-oldest-known-ant-is-a-113-million-year-old-hell-ant-with-scythe-jaws]. ### Conclusion: A Milestone in Ant Evolution Research - **Major Finding**: The discovery of the *Vulcanidris cratensis* fossil marks a significant milestone in understanding ant evolution, revealing that these insects have been around for **over 113 million years**. - **Implications for Science**: This finding not only enriches the fossil record but also prompts a reevaluation of the evolutionary history of ants, suggesting they were more diverse and widespread during the age of dinosaurs than previously recognized. - **Future Research Directions**: Further studies may focus on the ecological roles of these ancient ants and how their adaptations compare to modern species, potentially reshaping our understanding of insect evolution [https://interestingengineering.com/science/oldest-ant-fossil-discovered].