Atractylocarpus contains nine species with a mostly pantropical distribution; three species in the Neotropics. Padberg and Frahm (1985) include Metzerella and Metzleria in their treatment of Atractylocarpus. Allen (1994), in agreement with Williams (1913), placed Atractylocarpus in synonymy with Dicranodontium, based on the similarity of the gametophyte, and the rather unimpressive seta difference in which the form is erect or flexuose and in the latter cygneous as in Campylopus.
Atractylocarpus agrupa a nueve especies con distribución generalmente pantropical; tres especie en el Neotrópico. En Bolivia sólo hay una especie, A. longisetus (Hook.) E.B. Bartram.