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Preserved ‘Hell Ant’ Has Been Devouring It’s Prey for 99 Million Years – IGN Africa
The fierce predator appears to have vertically articulating mouthparts.
A prehistoric “hell ant” in the midst of grasping its prey with its unusual mouthparts has been found preserved in 99-million-year-old amber.
According to ScienceAlert, the frozen specimen captures the predator “actively feeding” on another insect, which is said to be an extinct relative of the cockroach. It is shown using its scythe-like jaw to pin its prey against the protruding horn-like paddle on the top of its head, acting as sort of a clamp.
Image credit: Barden et al., Current Biology, …
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