The Ants of Africa
Genus Pheidole
Pheidole bayeri Forel - new status

Pheidole bayeri Forel new status

return to key {link to the Hymenoptera Name Server} Type location Zaïre (Pheidole caffra Em. r. Bayeri n. stirps, Forel, 1916: 413, major & minor) from Kasindi, by Bayer - see below .

Forel's (1916) description is at {original description}.

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.


{Pheidole bayeri major}The photomontage of a type major worker is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0907818.


{Pheidole bayeri minor}The photomontage of a type minor worker is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0907819.


Major workers - Minor workers


Oxford University Museum specimens

Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
major
Liberia
E Poirier
Yekepa Camp 4
PF 5
6.iv.2013
Nimba County
07°33’04" N
08°33’17" E
Pitfall trap
Floodplain & marsh
501 m asl
major & minor
3
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
major & minor
Liberia
E Poirier
Yekepa Camp 4
PF 12
6.iv.2013
Nimba County
07°33’04" N
08°33’17" E
Pitfall trap
Floodplain & marsh
501 m asl
major & minor
4
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
major

Ghana
S Sky Stephens
06G0039

2006
In personal collection of S Sky Stephens
1
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
major
Benin
J-F Vayssieres
RVA 3043.2
27.ii.2013
Koro
09°22'21'' N
02°40'13'' E
Mangifera indica orchard
prey of Oecophylla longinoda
0800-0900 h
major
1
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
Benin
J-F Vayssieres
RVA 3077.1
6.iii.2013
Koro
09°22'21'' N
02°40'13'' E
Mangifera indica orchard
prey of Oecophylla longinoda
0800-0900 h
major
1
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
Benin
J-F Vayssieres
RVA 3099.20
9.xi.2011
Kika-Beterou
09°14'07'' N
02°11'52'' E
running on the ground
major

1
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
minor
Gabon
Y Braet
Gabon 33

16.vii.2006
Pongara
00°34' N
09°19' E
Pointe Denis; savannah (pitfall trap, edge of beach) (LV)

1
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
minor
Gabon
Y Braet
Gabon 81
9.vi-25.vi.2006
Pongara
00°34' N
09°19' E
Pointe Wingombe; under trees, malaise trap
3
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
Gabon
Y Braet
Gabon 69
9.vi-26.vii.2006
Pongara
00°34' N
09°19' E
Point Wingombe, botanic path, malaise trap
1
{album}
Pheidole bayeri
B Taylor det.
minor
Cameroun
A Fotso Kuate
Pheidole sp14

20.vii.2007
Awae II
03°54'30" N
11°25'58" E
Tuna bait in forest
1
{album}
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© 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016 - Brian Taylor CBiol FRSB FRES
11, Grazingfield, Wilford, Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K.

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