Crematogaster zavattarii

Taylor et al. (2018) report this species nesting in dead wood both on the ground and on living trees and building carton nests around and under flaky, cankerous bark. They suggest it could be a dominant species on cocoa, found on up to 2% of trees throughout the cocoa-growing area of Nigeria. It tends Homoptera and builds carton tents to protect them (Taylor & Griffin, 1981). It was also found on native shrubs and trees, on cashew and kola, and while beating weeds near a river.

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

Nomenclature

 * . Crematogaster (Sphaerocrema) zavattarii Menozzi, 1926a: 39 (w.) NIGERIA.
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated, “very numerous”).
 * Type-locality: Nigeria: Port Harcourt (E. Zavattari).
 * Type-depositories: IEUB, SIZK.
 * [Misspelled as zavathari by Santschi, 1937g: 77.]
 * Status as species: Santschi, 1928d: 66; Menozzi, 1942: 169; Bolton, 1995b: 165.
 * Distribution: Nigeria.
 * Current subspecies: nominal plus edmeeae.

Taxonomic Notes
Taylor et al. (2018) suggest that Crematogaster zavattarii edmeeae is a junior synonym of Crematogaster zavattarii rather than a subspecies, but provide no evidence to support this proposal. This treatment has not been followed by subsequent authors.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Menozzi C. 1926. Formiche dell'Africa centrale. Bollettino della Società Entomologica Italiana. 58: 36-41.
 * Stephens S. S., P. B. Bosu, and M. R. Wager. 2016. Effect of overstory tree species diversity and composition on ground foraging ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in timber plantations in Ghana. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & management 12(1-2): 96-107.
 * 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.