Pheidole oculata
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheidole_oculata
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Pheidole oculata faces severe habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in the Caribbean. The species' specialized nesting requirements in specific soil types make it particularly vulnerable to land conversion and soil disturbance. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate moisture balance required for colony survival.
Habitat
This ant species inhabits tropical dry forests and scrublands in the Caribbean, typically nesting in well-drained sandy or clay soils. The species shows preference for areas with moderate canopy cover that provide protection while maintaining suitable soil temperature and moisture conditions.
