Pheidole bayeri Forel new status

Major - Minor - Type location Zaïre (Pheidole caffra Em. r. bayeri n.st., Forel, 1916: 413, major & minor) from at Kasindi, by Bayer .

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 dark bayeri to full species status and have separated Pheidole senilifrons Wheeler (with thysvillensis as a probable synonym).
If my interpretation is correct the minor has the scape with numerous erect hairs.

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 -