Pheidole caffra bayeri

Taylor et al. (2018) report this taxon running on the ground and as prey of Oecophylla longinoda in a Mangifera indica (mango) orchard in Benin.

Identification
A member of the speculifera species group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nomenclature

 *  bayeri. Pheidole caffra r. bayeri Forel, 1916: 413 (s.w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

Taxonomic Notes
Taylor et al. (2018) - It is quite clear from the original description that true Pheidole caffra Emery 1895 (type image CASENT0904210, type location South Africa) 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. Therefore, BT has raised the quite distinctive dark bayeri to full species status.

This species-rank treatment has not been followed by other authors.