Pheidole senilifrons Wheeler new status

Type location Zaïre (Pheidole caffra subspecies senilifrons, new subspecies, Wheeler, 1922: 130, illustrated, major & minor) collected at Yakuluku, by Lang & Chapin - see below
junior synonym (here) thysvillensis (Pheidole caffra Emery subspecies bayeri Forel variety thysvillensis new variety, Wheeler, 1922: 130, major & minor) from Zaïre, collected at Thysville, by Dr Bequaert - see below
all forms described (see Bolton, 1995) .

Wheeler (1922: 130) - text Figure 32, right.
MAJOR - 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.

See Pheidole caffra for separation

MINOR - Length 1.8 mm. Very similar to the minor thysvillensis but the pronotum is smooth and shining and the propodeal spines are shorter, less obtuse, and more erect. From the photos of the type minor (below) the scapes are without erect hairs.
Four majors and a single minor from Yakuluku, Zaïre, where they were found "nesting in a small, mushroom shaped termitarium" (Lang and Chapin).

The photomontage is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0003145

The photomontage is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0006021

Pheidole caffra subspecies bayeri, new variety thysvillensis

Wheeler's (1922) description of thysvillensis is -
MAJOR - 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.
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 of the thysviilenis paratype major is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=rmcaent000017752
Apart from the colour difference, which may be exaggerated by the photographs, this is an exact match for the type major (above).

Wheeler's (1922) description of thysvillensis is -
MINOR - Length 2 mm. Smaller than the minor 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 of the thysviilenis paratype minor is collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=rmcaent000017753.

Oxford University Museum specimens

Pheidole senilifrons B Taylor det.	Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 3017.1 & 3016	9.xi.2012 Korobourou 09°22'13'' N 02°40'16'' E	Mangifera indica orchard Quadrat 1, série 1, variété Gouverneur; ground nesting Minor worker	2
Pheidole senilifrons B Taylor det.	Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 3040.4	20.ii.2013 Koro 09°22'21'' N 02°40'13'' E	Mangifera indica orchard prey of Oecophylla longinoda 1000-1100 h minor	1
Pheidole senilifrons B Taylor det.	Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 3045.1	27.ii.2013 Koro 09°22'21'' N 02°40'13'' E	Mangifera indica orchard prey of Oecophylla longinoda 1000-1100 h minor	1
Pheidole senilifrons B Taylor det.	Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 3056.4	27.iii.2013 Koro 09°22'21'' N 02°40'13'' E	Mangifera indica orchard prey of Oecophylla longinoda 0900-1000 h minor	1
Pheidole senilifrons B Taylor det.	Benin J-F Vayssieres RVA 3079.3	6.iii.2013 Koro 09°22'21'' N 02°40'13'' E	Mangifera indica orchard prey of Oecophylla longinoda 1000-1100 h major	1
Pheidole senilifrons B Taylor det.	Congo Y Braet	7.x.2007 Dzio-Dzio 3°29'33" S 15°18'33" E	Ngabe, Région de Pool collected by sweep netting (fauchage)	3

The photomontage is of a major worker from Benin; Koro; collector J-F Vayssieres (RVA 3079). This appears an exact match for the senilifrons type shown above although the dimensions, other than TL, were not given by Wheeler and the size matches the Antweb images have no scales. It is the same size as the thysvillensis major.

The arrangement of hypostomal teeth, with only a mid-placed recessed pair and none close to the midline, sets it apart from caffra.

The photomontage is of a minor worker from Benin; Korobouro; collector J-F Vayssieres (RVA 3017).

The photomontage is of a minor specimen from Congo, Dzio-Dzio, Ngabe, Région de Pool; collector Yves Braet.