Tetraponera penzigi

One of four ant species (also Crematogaster mimosae, Crematogaster sjostedti, Crematogaster nigriceps) that live on Vachellia drepanolobium. This small arboreal ant assemblage, nesting in this dominant Africa savanna tree, have been the subject of intensive research by a large group of ecologists studying species interactions and species co-existence.

Identification
A member of the Tetraponera allaborans species-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania.

Nomenclature

 *  penzigi. Sima penzigi Mayr, 1907b: 10 (w.q.m.) TANZANIA.
 * Combination in S. (Tetraponera): Arnold, 1916: 180.
 * Combination in Tetraponera: Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 800.
 * Senior synonym of praestigiatrix: Ward, 2022: 36.
 * Senior synonym of scotti: Ward, 2022: 35.
 * Senior synonym of zavattarii: Ward, 2022: 36.
 * praestigiatrix. Tetraponera penzigi var. praestigiatrix Santschi, 1937a: 50 (q.) TANZANIA.
 * Junior synonym of penzigi: Ward, 2022: 36.
 * scotti. Tetraponera scotti Donisthorpe, 1931b: 498 (w.q.) ETHIOPIA.
 * Junior synonym of penzigi: Ward, 2022: 35.
 * zavattarii. Sima (Tetraponera) zavattarii Menozzi, 1939c: 99, fig. 1 (w.) ETHIOPIA.
 * Combination in Tetraponera: Ward, 1990: 489.
 * Junior synonym of penzigi: Ward, 2022: 36.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Garcia F.H., Wiesel E. and Fischer G. 2013.The Ants of Kenya (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)Faunal Overview, First Species Checklist, Bibliography, Accounts for All Genera, and Discussion on Taxonomy and Zoogeography. Journal of East African Natural History, 101(2): 127-222
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Medler J. T. 1980: Insects of Nigeria - Check list and bibliography. Mem. Amer. Ent. Inst. 30: i-vii, 1-919.
 * Menozzi C. 1939. Hymenoptera Formicidae. Missione Biologica nel Paese dei Borana. 3: 97-110.
 * Stanton, M.L., T.M. Palmer and T.P. Young. 2002. Competition-Colonization Trade-Offs in a Guild of African Acacia-Ants. Ecological Monographs 72(3):347-363
 * Stanton, M.L., T.M. Palmer and T.P. Young. 2005. Ecological barriers to early colony establishment in three coexisting acacia-ant species in Kenya. Insectes Sociaux 52:393-401
 * Wheeler W. M. 1922. Ants of the American Museum Congo expedition. A contribution to the myrmecology of Africa. VIII. A synonymic list of the ants of the Ethiopian region. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 45: 711-1004