Pheidole bayeri (Forel) new status

Soldier - Minor - Type location Zaïre (Pheidole caffra Em. r. bayeri n.st., Forel, 1916: 413, soldier & worker) from at Kasindi, by Bayer, senilifrons Wheeler, 1922: 130, illustrated, soldier & worker) from Zaïre (Yakuluku, by Lang & Chapin); unavailable name thysvillensis (Wheeler, 1922: 130, soldier & worker) from Zaïre at Thysville, by Lang & Chapin; all forms described (see Bolton, 1995) .

Forel's (1916) description is at .

It is quite clear from the original Emery description that true Pheidole caffra Emery does not have strongly marked sculpturation on the occiput and the frontal carinae reach the posterior quarter of the head; the colour also is given as ferruginous dull with the gaster piceous and shiny. It is my view that the common fault of Forel in defining subspecies or varieties rather than species led to confusion. Therefore, I have raised the quite distinctive bayeri to full species status, with at least senilifrons and thysvillensis as junior synonyms.

Pheidole caffra subspecies senilifrons, new subspecies.

Wheeler (1922: 130) - text Figure 32, above right.
SOLDIER - Length 4 mm. Differing from the typical form and the subspecies bayeri in the sculpture of the head, the sharp longitudinal rugae between the prolonged frontal carinae being surrounded by the rugae from the sides of the head, which run up to the posterior corners, then turn at a right angle and run transversely on the occipital lobes to the occipital furrow. These rugae are quite as strong as those on the front, but denser. The head is a little longer and a little more depressed posteriorly than in the variety thysvillensis, the transverse welt of the mesonotum less pronounced; the blunt propodeal spines distinctly shorter. The sculpture of the thorax and pedicel and the color and pilosity are much as in that variety.
WORKER - Length 1.8 mm. Very similar to the worker thysvillensis but the pronotum is smooth and shining and the propodeal spines are shorter, less obtuse, and more erect.
Four soldiers and a single worker from Yakuluku, Zaïre, where they were found "nesting in a small, mushroom shaped termitarium" (Lang and Chapin).

The photomontage is collated from the AMNH Congo Expedition website. The photographs (labelled as Pheidole caffra) were taken by Brian Fisher as part of the VCA project at the California Academy of Sciences.

Pheidole caffra subspecies bayeri, new variety thysvillensis

Wheeler's (1922) description of thysvillensis is -
SOLDIER - Length 4 to 4.5 mm. Smaller than the typical bayeri, with the head of the same shape, but subopaque and with only the front and occiput somewhat shining. The occipital depression is less distinct than in the subspecies abyssinica Forel, and the rugae are anteriorly less numerous, coarser, and farther apart, but very fine and distinctly transverse on the occiput. The antennal scapes are shorter than in the typical bayeri, reaching only a little beyond the middle of the head. The suberect propodeal spines are not pointed as in abyssinica and bayeri but somewhat longer, of uniform thickness or even slightly enlarged at the tips, which are blunt. The propodeum dorsum is not longer than broad. The postpetiole is somewhat narrower than in bayeri and abyssinica, with blunter lateral angles. Thorax, petiole, and postpetiole more finely rugulose-punctate than in abyssinica; gaster shining, with the base of the first segment subopaque and alutaceous. Colour as in abyssinica, with the head and thorax ferruginous brown but varying in some specimens to pale ferruginous red, with the gaster black or brown and the base of the first segment and posterior borders of all the segments paler and more reddish or yellowish.
WORKER - Length 2 mm. Smaller than the worker of bayeri. Head elliptical, without posterior corners, longer than broad. Antennal scapes extending two-fifths their length beyond the occipital border, which is rather sharply marginate. Shining; head and thorax finely reticulate; mesonotum, propodeum, petiole, and ventral and lateral portions of the postpetiole opaque and densely punctate. Ferruginous brown; head castaneous; mandibles except their teeth, yellowish.
Described from numerous specimens taken both by Lang and Bequaert at Thysville, Zaïre, apparently from the same colony, "nesting in sandy soil in the savannah".

The photomontage is of a major specimen from Ghana, collected by Sky Stephens. Other images can be seen in the folder at -

The photomontage is of a minor specimen from Gabon, Pongara National Park; Pointe Wingombé; 9-25.vi.2006; Malaise trap under trees; collected by Yves Braet. Other images can be seen in the folder at -