Afrepipona Giordani Soika, 1965

Selis, Marco & Carpenter, James M., 2024, Revision of the Afrotropical genus Afrepipona Giordani Soika, 1965 and description of Afrepsilon gen. nov. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae), European Journal of Taxonomy 944, pp. 1-80 : 54-58

Key to the species of Afrepipona Giordani Soika, 1965

1. Apical translucent margin of T2 very short and barely noticeable, not clearly separated from rest of tergite ................................................................................................................................................ 2

– Apical translucent margin of T2 clearly distinct and separated from rest of tergite, either sharply or by a series of large irregular punctures ............................................................................................. 4

2. Elongate appearance, mesosoma 1.4 × as long as wide, T1 about as long as wide in dorsal view. Head and mesosoma very coarsely and densely punctured, interspaces mostly reduced to sharp irregular ridges; T1 and base of T2 with deep rounded punctures. Occipital carina complete; vertex shorter, 1.4 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. Interantennal space bluntly carinate, rounded when seen from above. Pronotal carina sharp, shortly lamellate on humeri only; lateral face of pronotum without longitudinal carina, epicnemial carina weak. Female clypeus matte, with dense punctures and interspaces densely micropunctate; apical margin much narrower than interantennal distance and very shallowly concave, almost truncate; apical corners of clypeus with short thick carinae, connecting on apical margin and forming a U-shaped ridge. Burundi............................................................................................................... A. anomala sp. nov.

– Robust appearance, mesosoma 1.15 × as long as wide, T1 much wider than long in dorsal view. Head and mesosoma with sparse punctures, interspaces mostly flattened and shiny; T1 and base of T2 nearly impunctate, with barely visible fine punctures. Occipital carina abruptly interrupted behind dorsal lobe of eye, completely absent on vertex; vertex longer, 2.2 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. Interantennal space very sharply carinate, angularly producing when seen from above. Pronotal carina developed in a high and sharp lamella for whole length; lateral face of pronotum with sharp longitudinal carina, continuing in strong epicnemial carina. Female clypeus shiny, with sparse deep punctures; apical margin much larger than interantennal distance, weakly convex between right-angled lateral teeth; apical corners not distinctly carinate (female not known in A. tertia ) ........................................................................................................................................ 3

3. Punctures on pronotum and mesoscutum larger and denser, interspaces reaching puncture diameter at most, becoming denser on posterior half of mesoscutum where punctures connect in irregular series. Posterior margin of scutellum with two to three series of dense coarse punctures, separated by sharp ridges. Outer margin of tegula slightly concave in anterior third, strongly convex behind. Ivory Coast......................................................................................................... A. lamellata sp. nov.

– Punctures on pronotum and mesoscutum finer and sparser, interspaces exceeding puncture diameter, becoming sparser on posterior half of mesoscutum. Posterior margin of scutellum with a single series of fine punctures, separated by short flattened interspaces. Outer margin of tegula evenly convex. Central African Republic........................................................... A. tertia Gusenleitner, 2011

4. T1 and T2 separated by a constriction, T1 appearing narrower than T2. Apical translucent margin of T2 separated from rest of surface by a sharp change in sculpture and coloration, not preceded by a series of very large punctures. S2 with basal longitudinal furrow absent or barely indicated. Clypeus of female longer, 1.2 × as wide as long; vertex of female shorter, 1.8 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin ............................................................................................. 5

– T1 and T2 not sharply separated, T1 about as wide as T2. Apical translucent margin of T2 separated from rest of surface by a series of irregular large punctures, with pigmented digitations running between punctures and invading the translucent area. S2 with furrow variable in length and depth, but always well-marked. Clypeus of female shorter, 1.3–1.5 × as wide as long (except A. segregata ); vertex of female longer, 1.9–2.3 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin ............................................................................................................................................... 7

5. Clypeus with deep punctures and apical teeth sharply carinate, more markedly in the female. Posterior half of gena not depressed in ventral third, occipital carina of same height for whole length of gena; occipital carina dull but complete on vertex, placed on the transition between vertex and the posterior face of head. Metanotum entirely black. T2 with a preapical depressed area bearing dense and coarse punctures, interspaces narrower than punctures and ridge-like. S2 with larger and denser punctures. Male: clypeus 1.2 × as wide as long, vertex 1.55 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. East Africa ( Eritrea and Ethiopia) .... A. angusta ( de Saussure, 1863)

– Clypeus with sparse fine punctures and apical teeth bluntly carinate. Posterior half of gena depressed in ventral third, occipital carina higher and crenate in the portion bordering the depression; occipital carina disappearing in middle of vertex, placed slightly below the transition between the vertex and the posterior face of head. Metanotum with a yellow line along anterior margin. S2 with smaller and sparser punctures. Male: clypeus about 1.3 × as wide as long, vertex 1.8–1.9 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. Females unknown. Kenya................................... 6

6. Apical teeth of clypeus bearing long carinae forming rounded ridges, slightly diverging and reaching middle of clypeus. Clypeus more shallowly emarginate. Posterior ocelli as distant from eyes as to each other; vertex 1.8 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. F11 not reaching apex of F8. Pronotal lamella higher, about half as long as ocellar diameter. Interspaces on mesoscutum at most half as long as puncture diameter. Scutellum flattened, completely on same plane of posterior half of mesoscutum. Preapical margin of T2 slightly depressed, with punctures larger and denser than on rest of surface. Apical decolorate margin of T3 shorter than that of T2. Red markings on mesosoma limited to tegula and pronotal margins ............... A. punctatissima sp. nov.

– Apical teeth of clypeus shortly carinate, carinae not exceeding lamellate apical margin. Clypeus more deeply emarginate. Posterior ocelli closer to eyes than to each other; vertex 1.9 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. F11 reaching apex of F8. Pronotal lamella lower, about 1/3 × as long as ocellar diameter. Interspaces on mesoscutum variable in size, reaching puncture diameter in posterior half. Scutellum slightly convex, with posterior half placed below level of mesoscutum. Preapical margin of T2 not depressed, with punctures slightly larger but non denser than on the rest of the surface. Apical decolorate margin of T3 longer than that of T2. Red markings on mesosoma covering most of pronotum, scutellum, metanotum, propodeum, tegula and dorsal plate of mesepisternum .............................................................................. A. clonata sp. nov.

7. Pronotal carina sharp but not lamellate. Mesosoma matte, punctures on scutellum and posterior half of mesoscutum dense, interspaces narrow and ridge like ................................................................. 8

– Pronotal carina with a variably developed but always distinct lamella. Mesosoma shiny or weakly metallic, punctures on scutellum and posterior half of mesoscutum sparse, interspaces always distinct and flattened ......................................................................................................................... 9

8. Apical margin of clypeus evenly concave, clypeus 1.5 × (♀) and 1.4 × (♂) as wide as long. Vertex of male 1.85 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. Scutellum and area between parapsidal furrows with punctures not touching and not forming series. Tanzania............................................................................................................ A. vulcanica sp. nov.

– Apical margin of clypeus subtruncate with producing lateral teeth, clypeus 1.35 × (♀) and 1.3 × (♂) as wide as long. Vertex of male 2.05 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. Scutellum and area between parapsidal furrows with punctures touching each other and forming irregular series. Democratic Republic of Congo..................................... A. scabra sp. nov.

9. Submarginal carina of propodeum forming short but distinct triangular lobe, well separated from propodeal valvula. Democratic Republic of Congo............................................ A. lobulata sp. nov.

– Submarginal carina of propodeum not developed in lobe above propodeal valvula, at most valvula itself forming a small posterodorsal angle in A. lamptoensis and A. ulterior ................................ 10

10. Lamella of pronotal carina high and translucent on whole length, at least as long as half ocellar diameter on humeri. Clypeus of female shorter, 1.4–1.5 × as wide as long (except A. segregata ).11

– Lamella of pronotal carina lower and becoming shorter in the middle, at most ⅓ × as long as ocellar diameter on humeri. Clypeus of female longer, 1.3–1.35 × as wide as long .................................. 13

11. Lateral carinae of propodeum blunt but distinct; propodeum with large yellow markings above valvulae. Clypeus of female 1.15 × as wide as long. Madagascar................... A. segregata sp. nov.

– Lateral carinae of propodeum absent; propodeum lacking yellow markings above valvulae. Clypeus of female 1.4–1.5 × as wide as long ............................................................................................... 12

The following three species are very similar and recognized by different combinations of characters, therefore they are included in a single passage of the key.

12. Head and mesosoma with sparser punctures, interspaces always flattened and mostly as large as puncture diameter; tegument with bright matte coppery reflection. Dorsal face of propodeum without coarse punctures, interspaces always large and flattened, lateral two thirds mostly impunctate. Punctures on disc of T1–2 fine and shallow, circular and well-marked; preapical punctures on T2 deep and forming a step, apical lamella slightly longer than apical decolorate margin of T1. Male clypeus 1.35 × as wide as long. Vertex of male 2.1 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. Mesosoma shorter, 1.25–1.3 × as long as wide in male. Female unknown. Kenya...................................................................................................................... A. cuprea sp. nov.

– Head and mesosoma with denser punctures, most interspaces shorter than puncture diameter; tegument shiny but without metallic reflections. Dorsal face of propodeum with very coarse punctures in the medial third, interspaces reduced to ridges, lateral 2/3 with smaller impunctate areas. Punctures on disc of T1–2 large and deep, oblique and well-marked; preapical punctures on T2 shallow and forming a shallow step, apical lamella about 3 × as long as apical decolorate margin of T1. Male clypeus 1.5 × as wide as long; female clypeus 1.4 × as wide as long, apical margin straight between strongly projecting apical teeth. Vertex 2.3 × (♀) and 2 × (♂) as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. Mesosoma longer, 1.4 × in male and 1.5 × in female as long as wide. South Africa....................................................................... A. meridionalis sp. nov.

– Head and mesosoma with sparser punctures, interspaces always flattened and mostly as large as puncture diameter; tegument with obscure matte brassy reflection. Dorsal face of propodeum with interspaces large and flattened and lateral two thirds mostly impunctate, but medial third with coarse punctures in male. Punctures on disc of T1–2 fine and shallow, larger on T1 and barely evident on T2; preapical punctures on T2 shallow and not forming a step, apical lamella about twice as long as apical decolorate margin of T1. Male clypeus 1.4 × as wide as long; female clypeus 1.5 × as wide as long, apical margin evenly rounded between barely projecting apical teeth. Vertex 2.1 × (♀) and 1.9 × (♂) as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin. Mesosoma shorter, 1.3 × as long as wide in both sexes. Mozambique....................... A. macrocephala (Gribodo, 1894)

13. Head and mesosoma with very large and deep punctures, those on disc of mesoscutum much larger than 0.5 × ocellar diameter. Pronotal lamella disappearing in median third of pronotum. S2 with very large and deep punctures. Male clypeus shorter, 1.4 × as wide as long, with few barely visible punctures in basal third. Zimbabwe................................................................... A. cellularis sp. nov.

– Head and mesosoma with finer and shallower punctures, those on disc of mesoscutum at most 0.5 × ocellar diameter. Pronotal lamella present on whole length of pronotal carina, at most slightly depressed on mid-line. S2 with smaller and shallower punctures. Male clypeus longer, 1.2 × as wide as long, with distinct punctures on whole surface (except A. ulterior , 1.45 × as wide as long) .... 14

14. Bulkier appearance: mesosoma 1.2–1.3 × as long as wide, T1 0.4–0.45 × as long as wide, T2 0.75– 0.85 × as long as wide. Clypeus of female 1.35 × as wide as long; vertex of female 1.85–1.95 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin .................................................. 15

– Slenderer appearance: mesosoma 1.35–1.45 × as long as wide, T1 0.5–0.55 × as long as wide; T2 0.9–1 × as long as wide. Clypeus of female 1.3 × as wide as long; vertex of female 2.1–2.25 × as long as distance between posterior ocellus and inner eye margin .................................................. 16

15. Cephalic foveae not placed in a depression, mixed with the punctures of vertex. Apical margin of clypeus narrower, 0.2 × as maximum width of clypeus. Occipital carina evenly curved on gena. Punctures on mesoscutum larger, half as long as mid-ocellar diameter; interspaces on disc at most half as long as puncture diameter. Dorsal faces of propodeum entirely covered in coarse punctures, impunctate areas smaller than punctures; posterior face of propodeum nearly entirely striate, with deep punctures in dorsal third. Mesosternum densely covered in silvery pubescence, densely punctate with shagreened and matte interspaces. T2 more reflexed, apical margin distinctly duplicated by raised lamella when seen from behind; punctures on T2 oblique and flat-bottomed; punctures on S2 coarser and denser. Ivory Coast............................................... A. lamptoensis Giordani Soika, 1965

– Cephalic foveae placed in a shallow but well-defined pit with raised posterior margin, about as large as anterior ocellus. Apical margin of clypeus wider, 0.25 × as maximum width of clypeus. Occipital carina strongly curved in ventral half of gena. Punctures on mesoscutum smaller, ⅓ × as long as mid-ocellar diameter; interspaces on disc exceeding one puncture diameter. Dorsal face of propodeum with finer punctures, impunctate areas larger than punctures; posterior face of propodeum striate in ventral half, smooth with deep punctures in dorsal half. Mesosternum almost bare, sparsely punctate with micropunctate and shiny interspaces. T2 less reflexed, apical margin thickened but not duplicated when seen from behind; punctures on T2 not oblique and not flat-bottomed; punctures on S2 finer and sparser. Central African Republic................................................... A. lamptula sp. nov.

16. Apical margin of clypeus with a median longitudinal carina, blunt in female and sharp in male. Tegula with posterior lobe acute and elongate, equaling parategula. Propodeal valvula posterodorsally angulate. Apical margin of T3 shortly lamellate and translucent, about as T2. South Africa, Zimbabwe............................................................................................................. A. ulterior sp. nov.

– Apical margin of clypeus without median longitudinal carina. Tegula with posterior lobe short and not equaling parategula. Propodeal valvula evenly rounded. Apical margin of T3 widely lamellate and translucent, more than T2 ......................................................................................................... 17

17. Cephalic foveae placed in a small circular depression, transverse diameter shorter than ocellar diameter. Apical margin of clypeus evenly concave. Punctures on head and mesosoma sparser; interspaces on frons and mesoscutum reaching one puncture diameter; punctures on mesepisternum always separated by large flattened interspaces. Ethiopia................................. A. orientalis sp. nov.

– Cephalic foveae placed in a large elliptical depression, transverse diameter larger than ocellar diameter. Apical margin of clypeus truncate, with weakly projecting apical teeth. Punctures on head and mesosoma denser; interspaces on frons and mesoscutum at most 1/2 × as long as puncture diameter; punctures on mesepisternum touching each other and forming longitudinal series, especially on ventral third. Western Africa ( Ivory Coast and Senegal) ......... A. occidentalis sp. nov.

Updated checklist of the species of the genus Afrepipona Giordani Soika, 1965

1. Afrepipona angusta ( de Saussure, 1863)

2. Afrepipona anomala sp. nov.

3. Afrepipona cellularis sp. nov.

4. Afrepipona clonata sp. nov.

5. Afrepipona cuprea sp. nov.

6. Afrepipona lamellata sp. nov.

7. Afrepipona lamptoensis Giordani Soika, 1965

8. Afrepipona lamptula sp. nov.

9. Afrepipona lobulata sp. nov.

10. Afrepipona macrocephala (Gribodo, 1894)

11. Afrepipona meridionalis sp. nov.

12. Afrepipona occidentalis sp. nov.

13. Afrepipona orientalis sp. nov.

14. Afrepipona punctatissima sp. nov.

15. Afrepipona scabra sp. nov.

16. Afrepipona segregata sp. nov.

17. Afrepipona tertia Gusenleitner, 2011

18. Afrepipona ulterior sp. nov.

19. Afrepipona vulcanica sp. nov.