Tapinoma carininotum

Ground nesting, in dead wood and in the soil. Fairly abundant on cocoa at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Idi Ayunre, on up to 5% of trees in some blocks, but usually not so common. It can be positively associated with Crematogaster depressa and negatively associated with Pheidole megacephala. Tends aphids. Also found on native herbaceous vegetation, cashew, kola, oil palm and mango (Mangifera indica) orchards (Taylor et al., 2018).

Identification
Similar to Tapinoma lugubre (type CASENT0903070) but that appears to be rather darker brown with contrasting pale appendages (Taylor et al., 2018).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Benin, Cameroun, Sudan.

Nomenclature

 *  carininotum. Tapinoma carininotum Weber, 1943c: 379, pl. 16, fig. 32 (w.) SUDAN.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Taylor B., N. Agoinon, A. Sinzogan, A. Adandonon, Y. N'Da Kouagou, S. Bello, R. Wargui, F. Anato, I. Ouagoussounon, H. Houngbo, S. Tchibozo, R. Todjhounde, and J. F. Vayssieres. 2018. Records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Republic of Benin, with particular reference to the mango farm ecosystem. Journal of Insect Biodiversity 8(1): 006–029.
 * Weber N. A. 1943. The ants of the Imatong Mountains, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 93: 263-389.