Pachycondyla petiolosa

When described Pachycondyla petiolosa was known from two fossil insects which are compression-impression fossils preserved in layers of soft sedimentary rock. At the time of description, the holotype specimen, number SMF MeI 1893, along with the paratype SMF MeI 1427 were preserved in the Senckenberg Research Station Messel fossil collections. The fossils were described by Gennady Dlussky and Sonja Wedmann in a 2012 paper on the poneromorph ants of Messel. In the type description Dlussky and Wedmann named the species P. petiolosa, with the specific epithet derived from the Latin "petiolosus", chosen in recognition of notably visible petiole. ==Description==

Both of the Pachycondyla petiolosa queens are preserved in lateral positioning and have body lengths of approximately and the head is . The alitrunk is long, with the queens being described as being built massive and large. The antennae scape extends just beyond the occipital margin of the head, and the funicular segments in the middle are longer than wide. The eyes are oval in shape and placed slightly behind of the head's midpoint. Where preserved the mandibles comprise less than half the length of the head. The petiole is rounded in side view, with a high, thick scale, and there are visible hairs preserved on the last segment of the petiole. ==References==