Ants of the genus Plagiolepis Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Late Eocene ambers of Europe

Abstract

The genus Plagiolepis Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Late Eocene Baltic, Bitterfeld, Rovno, and Scandinavian ambers is revised. Two new species, Plagiolepis wheeleri sp. nov. and P. paradoxa sp. nov., are described. A lectotype of Plagiolepis klinsmanni Mayr, 1868 and neotypes of P. kuenowi Mayr, 1868 and P. solitaria Mayr, 1868 are designated. Rhopalomyrmex pygmaeus Mayr, 1868 (= Plagiolepis balticus Dlussky, 1997) is recognized as a new synonym of P. kuenowi Mayr, 1868. A key for identification of the Late Eocene species of Plagiolepis from the European ambers is provided.