Mycetagroicus

A genus of fungus growing ants. Mycetagroicus species seems to be quite common, although they are seldom collected. This may result from cryptic habits, enhanced by the peculiar soil-binding sculpture, and also probably as a result of the slow movements these ants show in the field. (Brandão & Mayhé-Nunes 2008)

Identification
Brandão & Mayhé-Nunes (2008) - Mycetagroicus species (Mycetagroicus cerradensis, Mycetagroicus triangularis, Mycetagroicus urbanus and Mycetagroicus inflatus share a peculiar sculpture (Brandão & Mayhé-Nunes 2001), with all body surfaces covered with regularly spaced, round, minute pits (better seen at relatively high magnifications, up to 70 times), bearing each a deeply set hair, one third the diameter of the pit, sometimes effaced by soil particles; antennal scrobes absent; preocular carinae straight at the eyes level, and evenly curving inwards posteriorly; pronotal shoulders as spine-like triangular projections; mesonotum without conspicuous projections anteriorly, with the posterior dorsal margin oblique to vertical or nearly so, in lateral view; compact petiole, with short to indistinct peduncle; postpetiole always larger and broader than the petiole; disk of tergum 1 of gaster covered by a net of coarse rugulae, more evident anteriorly, sometimes joining similar-sized hair pits.

Species richness
Species richness by country based on regional taxon lists (countries with darker colours are more species-rich). View Data



Nomenclature

 *  MYCETAGROICUS [Myrmicinae: Attini]
 * Mycetagroicus Brandão & Mayhé-Nunes, 2001: 641. Type-species: Mycetagroicus cerradensis, by original designation.