Mycocepurus

Identification
Monomorphic ants, characterized by the numerous spines on most bodily surfaces, including a pair of occipital spines, and usually 2 to 3 pairs on the pronotum, 5 to 6 pairs on the mesonotum and 2 pairs on the propodeum, with the last pair being the most developed. The dorsum of the petiole has 2 pairs of spines. There is a definite circlet or crown of spines on the promesonotum, a feature that is not found in any other genus in the New World. (Mackay et al. 2004)

Nomenclature

 *  MYCOCEPURUS [Myrmicinae: Attini]
 * Mycocepurus Forel, 1893e: 602 [as subgenus of Atta]. Type-species: Atta (Mycocepurus) smithii, by subsequent designation of Wheeler, W.M. 1911f: 167.
 * [Mycocepurus Forel, 1893a: 164. Nomen nudum. Mycocepurus also described as new by Forel, 1893g: 369.]
 * Mycocepurus raised to genus: Wheeler, W.M. 1911f: 167.
 * Mycocepurus senior synonym of Descolemyrma: Kempf, 1963b: 417.
 *  MYCETOPURUS [unavailable name]
 * Mycetopurus Santschi, 1925b: 17, incorrect subsequent spelling of Mycocepurus. Perhaps a combination in error of Myceto(phylax) + (Mycoce)purus: Bolton, 1995b: 36.
 * DESCOLEMYRMA [junior synonym of Mycocepurus]
 * Descolemyrma Kusnezov, 1951d: 460. Type-species: Descolemyrma ogloblini (junior synonym of Atta (Mycocepurus) goeldii), by monotypy.
 * Descolemyrma junior synonym of Mycocepurus: Kempf, 1963b: 418.