The Antiquity and Evolutionary History of Social Behavior in Bees

A long-standing controversy in bee social evolution concerns whether highly eusocial behavior has evolved once or twice within the corbiculate Apidae. Corbiculate bees include the highly eusocial honey bees and stingless bees, the primitively eusocial bumble bees, and the predominantly solitary or communal orchid bees. Here we use a model-based approach to reconstruct the evolutionary history of eusociality and date the antiquity of eusocial behavior in apid bees, using a recent molecular phylogeny of the Apidae. We conclude that eusociality evolved once in the common ancestor of the corbiculate Apidae, advanced eusociality evolved independently in the honey and stingless bees, and that eusociality was lost in the orchid bees. Fossil-calibrated divergence time estimates reveal that eusociality first evolved at least 87 Mya (78 to 95 Mya) in the corbiculates, much earlier than in other groups of bees with less complex social behavior. These results provide a robust new evolutionary framework for studies of the organization and genetic basis of social behavior in honey bees and their relatives

Revision of the cleptoparasitic bee tribe Isepeolini (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae)

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Leptometriella minima Roig-Alsina, n. sp.

<i>Leptometriella minima</i> Roig-Alsina, n. sp. <p>(Fig. 8)</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> This species can be recognized by its small size, being the smallest species in the genus. It is also distinguished by the metapostnotum with a short basal subhorizontal portion, the extremely short pubescence of the metasomal terga, and the scarcely elevated vertex of the head.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> <i>Female holotype</i>. Length 4.6 mm (paratypes 4.5–5.0 mm); length of forewing 4.1 mm (paratypes 4.0– 4.6 mm).</p> <p>Head black; apical half of mandible brown. Thorax and propodeum black; tegula brown. Metasoma dark brown, with apex of terga and sterna pale brown, translucent. Legs black, but beyond basitarsus brown; tibial spurs yellowish. Wings hyaline with veins and pterostigma brown; center of pterostigma light brown. Vestiture mostly whitish, but pale brownish on apex of tarsi and dorsum of T1–T2; prepygidial and pygidial fimbriae yellowish brown. Vestiture of head, thorax, most of legs, propodeum, and base of T1 long. Hairs sparse on clypeus and labrum, on clypeus 1.4–2.4 times MOD, between antennal sockets 2.0–3.0 times MOD. Hairs on scutum 1.5–3.0 times MOD; on mesopleuron 3.4–4.4 times MOD. Metapostnotum mostly glabrous, except close to propodeal margins with short hairs, as long as 0.3 times MOD. T1–T4 with well-defined narrow apical bands of appressed hairs; band on T1 interrupted medially. Disc of T1–T4 with extremely short, appressed hairs, as long as 0.2–0.4 times MOD and with intermixed, sparse, erect hairs 0.6 times MOD, although erect hairs on T2 present only at sides. Labrum and clypeus with distinct moderate punctures, on clypeus 0.2–0.3 times MOD, separated by 0.5–1.0 times their diameter; rest of body with small punctures; with shiny, impunctate areas surrounding ocelli, on center of scutum, and narrow band on dorsum of scutellum; metapostnotum tessellate. Vertex of head scarcely elevated behind ocelli, distance from median ocellus to vertex in frontal view as long as 0.6 ocellar diameters. Proportion of UID to LID 1:0.85; IAD to AOD 1:0.42. Proportion of scape, pedicel and first three flagellomeres 3.3:0.8:1:0.6:0.6; first flagellomere as long as its apical width.</p> <p>Mandible narrowly pointed apically; preapical tooth distinct, small. Metapostnotum with basal portion slanting posteriorly, convex when seen in profile. Gradulus of T6 with short gradular carina restricted to posterior portion of tergum.</p> <p> <i>Male</i>. Length 4.7–5.2 mm; length of forewing 4.1–4.7 mm.</p> <p> Color of cuticle and vestiture similar to that of female. Hairs of scutum 1.4–2.3 times MOD. T2–T6 with narrow apical band of appressed hairs; band on T1 less defined. Basal part of T2 with decumbent hairs, short medially (0.3–0.5 times MOD), longer laterally. T3–T6 basally with intermixed decumbent hairs 0.4–0.6 times MOD, and semierect hairs 0.8 times MOD. S6 evenly covered with short hairs 0.2 times MOD. Proportion of first three flagellomeres, 1:0.8:0.9; first flagellomere as long as 1.1 times its apical width. Mandible tapering apically. T7 ending apically in two short points separated by a shallow notch. S7, S8 and genital capsule similar to those of <i>L. monteana</i>.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The specific name alludes to the small size.</p> <p> <b>Material studied.</b> Holotype female, Bolivia, Cochabamba, 1946, R. Zischka col. (MLP). Paratypes: 12 females and 16 males, same data as holotype (MLP, MACN).</p>Published as part of <i>A. Roig-Alsina, 2008, A revision of the South American bee genus Leptometriella Roig-Alsina (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini), pp. 20-36 in Zootaxa 1688</i> on pages 34-35, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/180595">10.5281/zenodo.180595</a&gt

Leptometriella separata Holmberg

<i>Leptometriella separata</i> (Holmberg) <p>(Figs. 1–2, 9, 13, 18–21)</p> <p> <i>Teleutemnesta separata</i> Holmberg, 1903: 405 –406. Lectotype female, by present designation: Argentina, Salta, Molinos, 1–IV–1900 (MACN, examined).</p> <p> <i>Ancyloscelis humilis</i> Vachal, 1904: 19. Holotype male, Argentina, Tucumán, Girard (Paris, examined). Jörgensen, 1912a: 158. Schrottky, 1913: 254. <b>Synon. nov.</b></p> <p> <i>Ancyloscelis minuta</i> Friese, 1908: 52. Lectotype female, by present designation: Argentina, Salta, Marzo, Steinbach (Berlin, examined). Jörgensen, 1909: 224. Jörgensen, 1912a: 158 (synonymyzed with <i>humilis</i>). Schrottky, 1913: 254. <b>Synon. nov.</b></p> <p> <i>Melitoma (Ancyloscelis) specularis</i> Vachal, 1909: 21. Holotype male, Argentina, Chaco de Santiago del Estero, Río Salado, E. R. Wagner (Paris, examined). <b>Synon. nov.</b></p> <p> <i>Melitoma (Ancyloscelis) separata</i>: Vachal, 1909: 21.</p> <p> <i>Melitoma (Ancyloscelis) humilis</i>: Vachal, 1909: 21. <i>Leptometria separata</i>: Brèthes, 1910: 298.</p> <p> <i>Leptometria humilis</i>: Brèthes, 1910: 298. Jörgensen, 1912b: 321. <i>Leptometria minuta</i>: Brèthes, 1910: 298.</p> <p> <i>Leptometria specularis</i>: Brèthes, 1910: 298.</p> <p> <i>Ptilothrix separata</i>: Schrottky, 1913: 254.</p> <p> <i>Diadasia separata</i>: Cockerell, 1919: 120. Schrottky, 1920: 172. <i>Diadasia humilis</i>: Schrottky, 1920: 171.</p> <p> <i>Diadasia specularis</i>: Schrottky, 1920: 172.</p> <p> <i>Leptometriella separata</i>: Roig Alsina, 1999: 24.</p> <p> <b>Type material.</b> There is a single specimen of <i>Teleutemnesta separata</i> preserved in the Holmberg Collection (MACN), which is here designated as the lectotype. It bears the handwritten labels “Molinos, IV–1 –900” and “ separata [female symbol] Holmberg”. It is badly damaged, lacking the head, the prothorax, the forelegs, the left mid leg, the left hind leg, and the metasoma. Although in poor condition, there is no doubt on the identity of the species. Several characteristics can be observed that single out the lectotype specimen as a <i>Leptometriella</i>: small size, presence of a basitibial plate on the hind leg, plumose scopal hairs with straight short barbulae oblique to the rachis, hind basitarsus distinctly projected apically over the following tarsomere, claws pointed and arolia distinct (hind leg only), metapostnotum with sparse hairs on most of its surface except bare band close to metanotum, and horizontal part of the mesopleura in front of the middle coxae short. The lectotype is identified at the species level by the metapostnotum with hairs scattered over most of its surface (Fig. 2), the upper bare band narrow, and by the yellowish, translucent tegula. The pattern of the vestiture (both color and density) of the missing metasoma was described in detail by Holmberg (1903), who pointed out the reddish color of the prepygidial and pygidial fimbriae, characteristic of this species.</p> <p> The holotype of <i>Ancyloscelis humilis</i> Vachal bears the handwritten labels “Tucuman / Rep Arg” and “Ancyloscele / humilis / [male symbol] Vachal”; it is in good condition. The holotype of <i>Melitoma specularis</i> Vachal bears the printed label “Museum Paris / Chaco de Santiago del Estero / bords du Rio Salado / Env. d'Icaño / E.R. Wagner 1904” and the handwritten label “ Ancyloscelis / [male symbol] / specularis / Vach.”; it is in good condition. Both types are males of <i>L. separata</i>. They are readily identified as such by the elevated vertex of the head, the bilobed apex of T7 of the male, and the translucent tegula.</p> <p> Friese (1908) based his <i>Ancyloscelis minuta</i> on a composite series. I have studied two specimens from Berlin labeled as types. The female corresponds to <i>L. separata</i> (Holmberg), and has been selected as the lectotype, following the interpretation of <i>minuta</i> made by previous authors (Jörgensen, 1912a, 1912b, Schrottky, 1920) who considered <i>minuta</i> Friese as a synonym of <i>humilis</i> Vachal. The male specimen corresponds to <i>Diadasina riparia</i> (Ducke, 1907). Both specimens, which are in good condition, bear identical printed labels “ Argentina / Salta 2500 / 3.1905 / Steinbach”, and identification labels “ Ancyloscelis / minuta / 1907 Friese det.”</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> This species is easily distinguished by the metapostnotum with sparse hairs on most of its surface except a glabrous band close to the metanotum, the vertex of the head much elevated behind the ocelli, the yellowish, translucent tegula, through which the alary sclerites are easily seen, and the bilobed apex of the male T7. The male has a unique seventh sternum, with the apical lobes secondarily fused (Fig. 20).</p> <p> <b>Redescription.</b> <i>Female</i>. Length 6.5–8.0 mm; length of forewing 5.3–6.0 mm.</p> <p>Black, except apex of mandible and flagellomeres 3–10 dark reddish brown, distal tarsomeres and translucent apical margin of S1–S5 yellowish brown, tibial spurs yellowish, and tegula yellowish, translucent. Wings pale amber, with veins and pterostigma yellowish brown. Vestiture yellowish brown to pale gray, but on inner side of mid and hind basitarsus, and on most of metasomal sterna orange brown; on prepygidial and pygidial fimbriae orange. Hairs on face of moderate length, on clypeus 0.5–1.0 times MOD, between antennal sockets up to 2.2 times MOD. Hairs on scutum 1.4–2.0 times MOD; on mesopleuron 2.0–2.8 times MOD; metapostnotum with short hairs 0.4–0.6 times MOD, except glabrous band close to metanotum. T1–T4 with welldefined apical bands of dense, appressed hairs. T2 basally to apical band with dense semierect hairs 0.7–1.0 times MOD, and intermixed erect hairs 1.2–1.3 times MOD; T3–T4 with appressed hairs and intermixed erect hairs. Punctures on clypeus and labrum larger than those on rest of body, on clypeus 0.1–0.2 times MOD, separated by 0.5–1.0 times their diameter. Margins of scutum with punctures dense, but median part of posterior half with punctures irregularly distributed, separated by 1–5 times their diameter; basal part of scutellum polished, with punctures regularly distributed; punctures on mesopleuron finer than those of scutum; upper part of metapostnotum glabrous, polished. Vertex of head strongly elevated behind ocelli, distance from median ocellus to vertex in frontal view as long as 1.4–1.5 ocellar diameters. Proportion of UID to LID 1:0.9; IAD to AOD 1:0.42. Proportion of scape, pedicel and first three flagellomeres 3:0.8:1:0.6:0.6; first flagellomere as long as 1.2 times its apical width. Mandible without distinct preapical tooth. Metapostnotum nearly vertical, in same plane as metanotum. Gradulus of T6 with gradular carina restricted to posterior portion of tergum.</p> <p> <i>Male</i>. Length 5.2–7.5 mm; length of forewing 4.8–5.8 mm.</p> <p>Color of cuticle and vestiture similar to that of female. Distribution of vestiture and punctation similar to that of female, although denser. Hairs on face between antennal sockets up to 2.8 times MOD, on scutum 2.3– 2.6 times MOD. With well-defined apical bands on T1–T6; T2 basally to apical band with erect, moderately long hairs 0.8–1.6 times MOD and without appressed hairs; T3–T6 with hairs progressively more decumbent, but without short appressed hairs. Hairs of S2– S5 0.8 –1.1 times MOD. S6 evenly covered with short hairs, 0.2–0.3 times MOD. Proportion of first three flagellomeres, 1:0.9:0.9; first flagellomere as long as 1.1 times its apical width. Mandible tapering apically. T7 with apical points forming short rounded lobes (Fig. 9). S7, S8 and genital capsule as in figures 18–21.</p> <p> <b>Color variation.</b> Specimens of <i>L. separata</i> present a striking color change related to age. Fresh specimens, recently emerged, have a yellowish-brown to tawny vestiture, while old specimens have a pale greyish vestiture. This variation in color is seen in nature and also in preserved specimens, as for example in series taken from the same place and date. Almost invariably tawny specimens have wings with neat margins, while pale grayish specimens have tattered wings.</p> <p> <b>Material studied. Argentina</b>: <b>Jujuy</b>: 2 males, Esperanza, 3-III-1961, J. Foerster (MLP). <b>Salta</b>: 1 female lectotype of <i>T. separata</i> Holmberg, Molinos, 1-IV-1900 (MACN); 3 males, Coronel Moldes, I-1945, F. Monrós (MLP); 1 male, Rosario de Lerma, XI-1992, M. Fritz (MACN); 2 females, 3 males, La Viña, XII-1992, M. Fritz (MACN); 5 females, La Viña, 28-XII-1992, on <i>Sphaeralcea</i>, A. Roig Alsina and L. Horovitz (MACN); 5 females, 1 male, Embarcación, XI-1989, A. Roig Alsina (MACN); 1 female, 40 km N Embarcación, 10-XI- 1993, A. Roig Alsina (MACN); 3 females, 20 km E La Candelaria, 20-I-1986, on <i>Sphaeralcea</i>, J.L. Neff (CTMI); 1 male, Amblayo, 22-III-1990, A. Roig Alsina (MACN); 1 female, Cafayate, Yacochuya, 20-III- 1974, A. Willink (IFML); 1 female, 2 males, Cafayate, 24-II-1993, P. Hazeldine (MACN); 15 females, 14 males, 6 km S Pichanal, 9-XI-1993, A. Roig Alsina (MACN). <b>Tucumán</b>: 1 female, 16 km N San Pedro de Colalao, 16-XII-1976, L. Stange (IFML); 1 female, 1 male, El Cadillal, 4-I-1976, L. Stange (IFML); 3 females, 5 males, 11 km NW El Cadillal, 28-X-2004, A. Roig Alsina and L. Compagnucci (MACN); 1 female, Tapia, 9-XI-1968, A. Willink (IFML); 1 male 6 km W Tapia, 20-XI-1993, A. Roig A. (MACN); 1 female, Trancas, 20-XI-1940 (MLP); 1 female, Horco Molle, 700 m, 20-XI-1972, L. Stange (IFML); 2 females, Tafí Viejo (MACN); 1 male, Garmendia, III-1946, Sacristi (IFML); 1 female, 1 male, Guasapampa, 1-XII-1940 (MLP); 1 female, Manantiales, 2-XII-1941 (MLP); 4 females, 2 males, Chorromoro, 22-XI-1940 and 12-XI-1942, A. Ogloblin (MLP); 1 female, Chicligasta, Arroyo Celeste, 5-XII-1973, on <i>Sphaeralcea</i>, J.L. Neff (CTMI); 2 females, Amaicha del Valle, 1-2-II-1985, L. Moffatt (MACN). <b>Catamarca</b>: 1 male, Santa María, 29-XI-1974, A. Willink (IFML); 1 female, 2 males, Santa María, 16-I-1986, on <i>Sphaeralcea bonariensis</i>, J.L. Neff (CTMI); 2 females, 1 male, Andalgalá, 19-XI-1944 (MLP); 2 females, Andalgalá, 17-X-1973, on <i>Sphaeralcea</i>, J.L. Neff (CTMI); 1 male, Andalgalá, 11-X-1973, on <i>Modiola sp.</i>, J.L. Neff (CTMI); 3 females, Andalgalá, 7-II-1973 and 17-X-1973, on <i>Sphaeralcea</i>, J.L. Neff (IFML); 2 females, San Fernando, III-1990, A. Roig A. (MACN); 1 female, Arroyo ca. Infanzón, ruta 11, 22-XI-1977, Willink & Fidalgo (IFML); 7 females, 1 male, El Rodeo, 19-I-1989, L. Moffatt (MACN); 1 female, El Rodeo, 16-IV-1972, C. Porter (IFML); 1 male, El Alto, 21-III-1950, R. Maldonado (MLP); 2 females, 2 males, El Alto, 11-I-1960, A. Willink (IFML); 14 females, 2 males, Las Viñas, 9-XI-1942, on <i>Sphaeralcea</i>, A. Ogloblin (MLP); 1 female, Joyango, 29-X-1972, L. Stange (IFML). <b>La Rioja</b>: 2 females, Durazno, 15-XI-1944 (MLP); 3 females, Schagui, 800 m, IV-1951, Budin (IFML); 1 male, Ochoa Huasi, 17-III, A. Martínez (MLP); 1 female, Malanzán, I-1923, M. Gómez (MACN); 1 female, Huanchín, I-1928, M. Gómez (MACN). <b>Santiago del Estero</b>: 1 male holotype of <i>M. specularis</i> Vachal, bords du Rio Salado, Environs d'Icaño, 1904, E.R. Wagner (Paris)¸ 9 females, 5 males, Termas de Río Hondo, 24-IV-1951 and 29-XI-1951, A. Ogloblin (MLP); 1 female, Dique Frontal, Termas de Río Hondo, 3-V-1972, C. Porter (IFML); 1 female, 2 males, Costas del Salado, km 511, M. Gómez (MACN); 1 female, 1 male, Desvío 511, Depto. Matará, XI-1928, M. Gómez (MACN); 1 female, 3 males, Campo Gallo, III-1940, A. Prosen (MLP); 1 female, 3 males, Tapso, 2-XI-1942, A. Ogloblin (MLP); 6 females, 4 males, Quirós, 28-XI-1941 (MLP). <b>Formosa</b>: 1 male, Gran Guardia, J. Foerster (MLP). <b>Chaco</b>: 1 female, 1 male, Roque Sáenz Peña, Ohnmeiser (MACN); 1 female, Fontana, 5-XI-1935, J.B. Daguerre (MACN). <b>Córdoba</b>: 2 females, Totoral, 18-II-1948, P. López (IFML); 1 male, Villa María, 17-XI-1940 (MLP); 1 female, La Calera, XI-1952 (MLP); 1 female, Colón, 10 km Jesús María, 3-XII-1973, on <i>Gaillardia megapotamicum</i>, J.L. Neff (CTMI); 1 female, Jesús María, 19-XI-1940 (MLP); 1 female, 4 males, Río Segundo, 20-XI-1952 (MLP); 1 male, Deán Funes, 12-XII-1940 (MLP); 8 females, 1 male, Depto. San Martín, 3- I-1948 (IFML); 1 male, Villa Carlos Paz, Cerro de la Cruz, 16-XII-1983, A. Oliva (MACN). <b>Mendoza</b>: 1 female, Godoy Cruz, Blanco Encalada, 8-I-1940 (MLP); 1 female, Cacheuta (MACN). <b>San Luis</b>: 1 male, Potrero de los Funes, 14-XI-1941, A. Ogloblin (MLP); 1 male, San Jerónimo, XI-1972, G. Williner (MACN). <b>La Pampa</b>: 1 female, General Pico, 7-XI-1945 (MLP). <b>Santa Fe</b>: 1 male, Piquete, 20-I-1930, A. Bridarolli (MACN); 1 female, Rosario (MACN); 1 male, Candiotti, 22-XI-1945, A. Ogloblin (MLP); 1 female, 2 males, Guadaloupe, 5-XI-1945 (MLP); 1 female, 4 males, Vera, 2-XI-1945, A. Ogloblin (MLP); 1 female, Saladillo, 28-XI-1921, Hubrich (ZSM). <b>Buenos Aires</b>: 1 male, Canal San Fernando, 3-XI-1945, A. Ogloblin (MLP); 3 females, Buenos Aires, 22-XI-1908, 8-III-1910, 2-I-1915, J. Brèthes (MACN). <b>Río Negro</b>: 2 females, I-1991, U. Fritz (MACN).</p>Published as part of <i>A. Roig-Alsina, 2008, A revision of the South American bee genus Leptometriella Roig-Alsina (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini), pp. 20-36 in Zootaxa 1688</i> on pages 29-31, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/180595">10.5281/zenodo.180595</a&gt

Hylaeus punctatus (Brull\ue9)(Colletidae), a Palaearctic bee long established in South America

Volume: 15Start Page: 286End Page: 28

Leptometriella boliviana Roig-Alsina, n. sp.

<i>Leptometriella boliviana</i> Roig-Alsina, n. sp. <p>(Fig. 7)</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> This is the only <i>Leptometriella</i> species that has dark tibial spurs. As in <i>L. minima</i>, the metapostnotum has a short basal portion slanting posteriorly. It is distinguished from <i>L. minima</i> by its larger size, the length of the metasomal vestiture, and the stronger apical points of the male T7.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> <i>Male holotype</i>. Length 6.5 mm (paratype 6.5 mm); length of forewing 5.9 mm (paratype 5.8 mm).</p> <p> Black, except as follows: reddish apex of mandible, dark brown tegula, yellowish-brown, translucent apex of S1–S5, dark brown tibial spurs, and reddish-brown distal tarsomeres. Wings hyaline, weakly amber; veins brown, pterostigma brown. Vestiture pale yellowish-brown on most of body, whitish on venter of thorax and underside of coxae, trochanters and femora. Vestiture dense and long. Hairs dense on face, on clypeus 1.8–3.2 times MOD, between antennal sockets longer, up to 3.5 times MOD. Hairs on scutum 2.5–4.0 times MOD; on mesopleuron 2.8–4.0 times MOD; metapostnotum with short hairs (0.5–0.7 times MOD) close to propodeal margin, remainder of metapostnotum glabrous. T2–T5 entirely covered by dense, decumbent hairs; apical bands evident because of denser hairs; T1 also with apical band. T2 basally to apical band with decumbent hairs 0.7–1.0 times MOD, and scattered semierect hairs 1.3–1.6 times MOD; T6–T7 entirely covered with decumbent hairs. Hairs on apical margins of S2– S5 1.4 –1.7 times MOD, on disc of S6 short and even, 0.25 times MOD, but on apical margin longer, 0.5–0.7 times MOD. Punctures on clypeus even, small (0.10–0.15 times MOD), separated by 0.5–1.0 times their diameter. Punctures on anterior part of scutum and mesopleuron similar to those of clypeus, on posterior half of scutum sparse; scutellum punctate throughout, without impunctate basal band. Metapostnotum dull, finely tessellate. Vertex of head strongly elevated behind ocelli, distance from median ocellus to vertex in frontal view 1.5 times MOD. Proportion of UID to LID 1:0.90; IAD to AOD 1:0.45. Proportion of scape, pedicel and first three flagellomeres 2.3:0.5:1:0.5:0.5; first flagellomere as long as 1.5 times its apical width. Mandible tapering apically. Metapostnotum with basal portion slanting posteriorly, convex when seen in profile. T7 ending apically in two short points separated by a U-shaped notch. S7, S8 and genital capsule similar to those of <i>L. monteana</i>.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The name of the species refers to the country where the species occurs.</p> <p> <b>Material studied.</b> Holotype male, Bolivia, Cochabamba, Chapare, Aguirre, 3200 m, XII-1950, Martínez (MACN). Paratypes: 1 male, same data as holotype (MACN).</p>Published as part of <i>A. Roig-Alsina, 2008, A revision of the South American bee genus Leptometriella Roig-Alsina (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini), pp. 20-36 in Zootaxa 1688</i> on page 35, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/180595">10.5281/zenodo.180595</a&gt

A revision of the South American bee genus Leptometriella Roig-Alsina (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini)

A. Roig-Alsina (2008): A revision of the South American bee genus Leptometriella Roig-Alsina (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini). Zootaxa 1688: 20-36, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18059

Ancyloscelis romeroi

Ancyloscelis romeroi (Holmberg) (Figs. 6C, 7C, 8C, 11C, 13G) Leptergatis romeroi Holmberg, 1903: 425 (Holotype female, Santa Helena, provincia de Entre Ríos, Argentina, 2-XI-1988, col. E. Boman, MACN, examined). Ancyloscelis romeroi. Cerceau et al. 2019: 6. Diagnosis. This is a medium sized species (length of forewing 6.0– 8.5 mm) easy to distinguish by the color of the forewing, which has a dark spot apical to the marginal cell, with the remainder of the wing margin paler. The pubescence is dense and long, the hairs on the mesopleuron are 3.2–4.1x MOD (male) and 2.3–3.0x MOD (female). Males are characterized by the orange scape and pedicel (Fig. 8C), and the shape of the hind basitarsus (11C), which has a basal inner rounded projection followed by a median tooth, and a broadly rounded apex. The hidden sterna and genital capsule have been drawn by Rodríguez and Roig-Alsina (2004). Comments. The extensive synonymy of this species has been treated by Moure & Melo (2007); only recent citations are mentioned above. Distribution. Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Argentina: provinces of Chaco, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, San Luis, Misiones and Santa Fe. New records. Argentina. Chaco: 2 ♂, Resistencia, 11- XI-2017, A. Schaller (MACN); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Parque Caraguatá, 21-X-2016, A. Schaller (MACN); 3♂, Villa Fabiana, 30-XII-2016, A. Schaller (MACN). Buenos Aires: 6 ♂, 3 ♀, Sierra de los Difuntos: Estancia Paititi, 6-I-2015, R. González V. (MACN); 1 ♀, Azul, 15-II-2012, Sanguinetti (MACN). Misiones: 1 ♂, Depto. Concepción, Santa María, XI-1952, M. J. Viana (MACN).Published as part of Schaller, A. & Roig-Alsina, A., 2021, A revision of the bee genus Ancyloscelis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Argentina, pp. 521-540 in Zootaxa 4980 (3) on page 533, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4980.3.4, http://zenodo.org/record/489713