Thaumatomyrmex

Thaumatomyrmex is a Neotropical genus of ants in the subfamily Ponerinae, found from Mexico to Brazil. They are notable for their pitchfork-shaped mandibles, which they use to capture millipedes of the order Polyxenida. The genus is a specialist predator of polyxenids, and one of only two ant genera known to prey upon polyxenids.

==Taxonomy and phylogenetics== thumb|left|Head view of a Thaumatomyrmex mandibularis worker, showing its characteristic pitchfork-shaped mandibles The genus was established by Mayr in 1877 to house the single species Thaumatomyrmex mutilatus, discovered in Brazil. Since its inception, the genus has been placed in various tribes: Ectatommini, Ponerini, Cylindromyrmicini, and its own tribe, Thaumatomyrmecini. Molecular phylogeny by Schmidt & Shattuck (2014) confirmed that the genus is nested within Ponerini. Twelve species has been described, and a few undescribed taxa are known.