Atopomyrmex cryptoceroides

Identification
Bolton (1981) - Answering to the description of Atopomyrmex mocquerysi and falling into the size range noted there; differing from mocquerysi as follows:

cryptoceroides - Sides of head behind eyes smooth and shining between widely scattered pits, not blanketed by reticulate-punctate sculpture and never with rugulae in this area; Propodeal dorsum strongly rugose, without or only with vestiges of punctate sculpture; Pronotal dorsum closely and coarsely rugose, without dense punctate ground-sculpture; Propodeal spines in dorsal view with their basal portions projecting outwards before angling backwards, the projecting portion concealing the spiracle which is not at all visible from above; Propodeal spiracle large and relatively close to the margin of the declivity below the spine; diameter of spiracle equal to or greater than the distance separating the spiracular hind margin from the edge of the declivity at its closest point.

mocquerysi - Sides of head behind eyes blanketed by dense reticulate punctate sculpture; sometimes rugulae may also occur in this area; Propodeal dorsum predominantly or entirely reticulate-punctate, if rugulae occur they are secondary to the punctuation; Pronotal dorsum usually with rugae present but with punctate ground-sculpture which is usually conspicuous and dense; Propodeal spines in dorsal view directed more or less evenly backwards, not projecting outwards basally; the spiracle (or at least its annulus) clearly visible from above; Propodeal spiracle smaller and some distance away from the margin of the declivity below the spine; diameter of spiracle less than the distance separating the spiracular hind margin from the edge of the declivity at its closest point.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 *  cryptoceroides. Atopomyrmex cryptoceroides Emery, 1892d: 561, pl. 15, figs. 5, 6 (q.) IVORY COAST. Subspecies of mocquerysi: Forel, 1913b: 336; Forel, 1915c: 343; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 886. Revived status as species: Emery, 1924d: 240; Santschi, 1925h: 163 (in key). Senior synonym of deplanatus: Emery, 1899e: 477; of curvispina: Emery, 1912d: 273; Emery, 1924d: 240; of melanoticus: Bolton, 1995b: 75.
 * deplanatus. Atopomyrmex deplanatus Mayr, 1895: 113 (w.) SIERRA LEONE. Junior synonym of cryptoceroides: Emery, 1899e: 477.
 * curvispina. Atopomyrmex mocquerysi var. curvispina Forel, 1911c: 311 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Arnold, 1916: 192 (q.). Junior synonym of cryptoceroides: Emery, 1912d: 273; Emery, 1924d: 240.
 * melanoticus. Atopomyrmex cryptoceroides var. melanoticus Santschi, 1925h: 153 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. [First available use of Atopomyrmex mocquerysi subsp. cryptoceroides var. melanoticus Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 182; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of cryptoceroides: Bolton, 1995b: 75. [Material of unavailable name formerly referred to cryptoceroides by Bolton, 1981b: 250.]

Type Material
Bolton (1981):

Holotype female, IVORY COAST: Assinie (c. Alluaud) (, Genoa) [examined].

Atopomyrmex deplanatus Holotype worker, Sierra Leone: 'Riv. N' Gamie, Chutes de Samlia (A. Mocquerys) (IRSNB, Brussels).

Atopomyrmex mocquerysi var. curvispina Syntype workers, Zaire: Kondue (E. Luja) (, Geneva) [examined].

Atopomyrmex mocquerysi subsp. cryptoceroides var. melanoticus Syntype workers, Zaire: between Lukolela and Basoko (H. O. Lang) [examined].