Pheidole katonae

Identification
A member of the excellens species group.

Collingwood and Agosti (1996) - SI 0.5, HW/PPW O.313. The head shape of the large workers is similar to that of Pheidole sculpturata but the reduced head sculpture and less abundant oblique appendage pubescence justify specific distinction.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Benin, Saudi Arabia, United Republic of Tanzania. Palaearctic Region: Oman.

Nomenclature

 *  katonae. Pheidole sculpturata subsp. katonae Forel, 1907a: 21 (w.) TANZANIA. Raised to species: Collingwood & Agosti, 1996: 323.

Taxonomic Notes
Taylor et al. (2018) suggest that Pheidole bequaerti is a junior synonym of Pheidole katonae, apparently as the minor workers have unique ovoid eyes, set well forward of the midline and angled. This treatment has not been followed by subsequent authors.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Borowiec L. 2014. Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Genus (Wroclaw) 25(1-2): 1-340.
 * Collingwood, C. A., and Donat Agosti. "Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia (Part 2)." Fauna of Saudi Arabia 15 (1996): 300-385.
 * Menozzi C., M. Consani. 1952. Missione biologica Sagan-Omo diretta dal Prof. E. Zavattari. Hymenoptera Formicidae. Rivista di Biologia Coloniale 11: 57-71.
 * Sharaf M. R., B. L. Fisher, H. M. Al Dhafer, A. Polaszek, and A. S. Aldawood. 2018. Additions to the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Oman: an updated list, new records and a description of two new species. Asian Myrmecology 10: e010004
 * Taylor B., N. Agoinon, A. Sinzogan, A. Adandonon, Y. N'Da Kouagou, S. Bello, R. Wargui, F. Anato, I. Ouagoussounon, H. Houngbo, S. Tchibozo, R. Todjhounde, and J. F. Vayssieres. 2018. Records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Republic of Benin, with particular reference to the mango farm ecosystem. Journal of Insect Biodiversity 8(1): 006–029.