Proceratium silaceum, alate queen.
Last week at the Vermillion River Observatory I collected this alate queen of Proceratium silaceum, an odd and highly specialized subterranean predator of spider eggs. Once I finished photographing the ant I pickled it in 100% ethanol. The specimen should be in good shape for DNA work.
As Proceratium is both relatively uncommon and phylogenetically interesting, I thought I’d offer the specimen to any lab that might have use for it. Contact me if you’re interested.
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But, but, why waste a perfectly good, complete and rare queen for DNA when any worker would do?
Now, studies in comparative queen morphology will benefit greatly from the specimen! [waving arms high in the air]
Well, that’s a fair point. But, DNA extraction is not so destructive as it used to be. Proteinase K digestion leaves the external morphology intact.