Perdita prodigiosa Portman & Griswold

Portman, Zachary M., Neff, John L. & Griswold, Terry, 2016, Taxonomic revision of Perdita subgenus Heteroperdita Timberlake (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), with descriptions of two ant-like males, Zootaxa 4214 (1), pp. 1-97 : 65-67

Perdita prodigiosa Portman & Griswold , sp. n.

Figs. 3 B, 4B, 14D–F, 20E–F, 22F–G, 23L, 41A, 44, 56L, 59I –K

Diagnosis. The female of P. prodigiosa is distinctive due to the lack of a metallic luster on the head and mesosoma. In the typical form, the metasoma is tan with a slight amber cast and dark brown markings on the borders of the terga (20F), however the dark marks can be reduced to nebulous lateral spots (20E). The face is entirely dark brown in the typical form ( Fig. 22 F), but the clypeus and paraocular marks especially can be more or less lightened to tan ( Fig. 22 G). The female is relatively distinct among Heteroperdita in having the pygidial plate triangular with a distinctly truncate apex ( Fig. 24 M, P. frontalis has a similar pygidial plate), as well as having the 2m-cu vein of the second medial cell weakened dorsally ( Fig. 4 B).

The male of P. prodigiosa is distinctive and bizarre. Along with P. pilonotata , it lacks the metallic sheen of most other Heteroperdita, and instead the body coloration ranges from tan to brown or black; the coloration is generally not uniform, and is instead splotchy and uneven ( Fig. 44 B). It is also unique in that the metasoma is broad and dorsoventrally flattened ( Fig. 14 F) and the pygidial plate lacks lateral definition and is expanded, resembling the other terga ( Fig. 23 L). There is significant variation in the head size ( Figs. 14 D–E), but the typical form is large and quadrate with small eyes, giving it an ant-like appearance. In general, the upper portion of the head is darker in small-headed specimens and lighter in large-headed specimens, and the mesosoma can be lightened to tan on the sides. Perdita prodigiosa can be further distinguished from the similar P. pilonotata male by the weakly impressed pronotal collar and layer of relatively dense, minute pubescence on the metasoma.

Description of female. Length: 2.9 mm. Forewing length: 1.7 mm.

Coloration. Head and mesosoma base color black or dark brown, lacking a distinct metallic sheen; clypeus ranging from dark brown to tan; supraclypeal mark generally dark brown, sometimes with tan transverse mark; paraocular mark generally dark brown, sometimes with tan transverse or subtriangular mark; subantennal mark generally dark brown, sometimes tan; mandible tan, tip reddish; labrum generally dark brown, sometimes tan; scape brown; antenna brown dorsally, tan ventrally; pronotal collar lacking transverse marks dorso-posteriorly; pronotal lobe white or tan; metapleuron and anterior propodeum occasionally slightly lightened to tan; legs dark brown except more or less tan on joints, anterior face of fore tibia, and all distal tarsi; wing veins dark brown; metasoma base color tan, often with amber cast, terga light medially and more or less bordered by poorly-defined dark brown marks on lateral, basal, and apical margins, T5 generally uniformly dark brown ( Figs. 20 E–F); T2 fovea black; pygidial plate tan, slightly darkened basally.

Structure and vestiture. Head broader than long; lateral areas of face sparsely covered in recumbent white pubescence extending up to bottom of facial fovea, vertex with sparse erect pubescence; eyes subparallel, slightly converging ventrally; facial fovea obscure, linear, parallel to eye, extending from above top of antennal socket halfway to apex of eye; mandible with extremely minute subapical tooth; labrum quadrate, slightly less than 2X broader than long; disc of clypeus broader than high, flat, apically protruding slightly less than 1 OD from face; lateral extension reaching 1/3 distance to base of mandible; venter of head with abundant inward-facing broadly hooked hairs; mesosoma strongly tessellate, impunctate, slightly shiny; pronotal collar slightly impressed, humeral angle weak; mesepisternum with very sparse, thin erect white pubescence; scutum with scattered sparse erect hairs, hairs becoming thickened, denser, and recumbent along posterior margin; propodeum with posterior face relatively smooth and shiny except for distinctly tessellate dorso-anterior triangle; fore coxa and anterior margin of venter of mesepisternum with abundant, broadly hooked hairs; apex of mid tibia with some short, thick, curved setae; forewing with second medial cell present but 2m-cu vein distinctly weakened dorsally ( Fig. 4 B); metasoma oval, narrow basally, tapering apically, widest at T3 ( Fig. 20 E); terga tessellate and impunctate; T2 fovea short, linear, slightly thickened, about half length of T2; pygidial plate triangular, apex strongly truncate ( Fig. 24 M); hairs of prepygidial fimbria thickened, sparse.

Description of male. Length: 2.3 mm. Forewing length: 1.5 mm.

Coloration. Head ( Figs. 14 D–E) and mesosoma base color dark brown; face lightened to tan below level of antenna; mandible tan, tip brown; labrum tan, sometimes with basomedial dark spot; scape dark brown; antenna brown, more or less lightened to tan apically and ventrally; pronotal collar light brown or tan; pronotal lobe tan ( Fig. 44 B); mesepisternum often lighter brown than scutum; metapleuron and anterior propodeum often lightened to tan; legs dark brown except generally lightened to tan apically and at joints; wing veins dark brown; metasoma uniformly dark brown ( Fig. 14 F); T2 fovea black.

Structure and vestiture. Head quadrate, broader than long, antenna relatively low on face, vertex prominent ( Figs. 14 D–E); face nearly devoid of pubescence with well-spaced, minute hairs; eyes relatively reduced in size, parallel or slightly diverging dorsally; mandible simple, slender, extending to far side of labrum in repose; labrum quadrate, 2X broader than long; disc of clypeus short, broader than high, slightly convex, apically protruding less than 1 OD from face; lateral extension completely folded over; head with fine, dense pubescence ventrally; mesosoma strongly tessellate, impunctate, slightly shiny; pronotal collar slightly impressed, humeral angle indistinct; mesepisternum and scutum with very sparse, long, erect, fine pubescence; hind tibia with sparse, short, thickened hairs; metasoma broader than mesosoma, strongly oval, narrow basally, widest at margin of T2/T3 ( Fig. 14 F), strongly dorsoventrally flattened; terga tessellate, slightly shiny with minute, close punctures; terga covered in short, fine, obscure pubescence, particularly laterally and on apical terga; T2 fovea obscurely placed on lateral margin of terga, linear, 1/2 length of T2; pygidial plate lacking lateral definition, appearing similar to other terga, tessellate and obscurely punctate, apical rim smooth and slightly flexed outward, medial tuft of hairs apically on ventral surface ( Fig. 23 L); hairs of prepygidial fimbria with few thickened hairs laterally.

Terminalia . S8 ( Fig. 56 L) with spiculum lacking, reduced to short ventrally-folded segment, apex with two poorly-defined sublateral points; lateral apodemes protruding straight out; apical portion slightly convex, longer than broad, sides converging slightly; apex strongly truncate; sparse hairs ventrally; oval of thinned cuticle basally. Genital capsule as in Figs. 59 I–K. Gonobase/gonocoxite enlarged and broad; gonostyli separated dorsally by broad, shallow U-shape; dorsal lobe of gonostylus with narrow base, apex large and bulbous, expanded dorsoventrally (resembling balancing rock formation); ventral lobe of gonostylus long, narrow, abruptly bent ventrally before gradually curving along margin of dorsal lobe of gonostylus until pointing upwards again, apex with few minute hairs; volsella exceeding rest of genitalia; cuspis exceptionally enlarged and elongate with apex expanded, slightly bifurcate, ornamented with multiple spicules, particularly along lateral margins; digitus reduced to small flap at inner base of cuspis; penis valve long and narrow, close together basally, slightly diverging dorsally, strongly curving ventrally, course paralleling lobes of gonostylus; endophallus reduced, not extending beyond gonobase.

Floral records. Boraginaceae (24 ♂ 78 ♀): Nama sp. 18 ♂ 66 ♀, Tiquilia latior 6 ♂ 11 ♀, T. sp. 1 ♀, Malvaceae (4 ♀): Sphaeralcea sp. 4 ♀. Note: as discussed in the introduction, the Nama sp. records almost certainly represent misidentified Tiquilia .

Phenology. Active from April to August.

Distribution. Mojave Desert ( Fig. 41 A), USA. Currently known only from the northeastern portion of Clark County, Nevada, USA.

Type material. Holotype data: ♂, NEVADA: Clark Co.: Glendale , 20 mi E (36.4431 -114.4272): 2 May 1986, P.F. & D.M. Torchio, Nama sp. ( BBSL, accession no. BBSL 344084 ) . Paratype data: (17 ♂ 21 ♀) NEVADA: Clark Co.: Boulder City , 23 mi NE (36.1572 -114.7933): 1 ♀, 30 Apr 1986, P.F. & D.M. Torchio, Sphaeralcea sp.; Glendale, 20 mi E (36.4431 -114.4272): 9 ♂ 10 ♀, 2 May 1986, P.F. & D.M. Torchio, Nama sp.; Riverside, 7.5 km SW ; Virgin Valley; New Gold Butte Rd (36.68498 -114.27368): 1 ♀, 16 May 2012, Z.M. Portman, Tiquilia latior ; Riverside, 7.5 km SW ; Virgin Valley; New Gold Butte Rd (36.68514 -114.27375): 4 ♂ 5 ♀, 16 May 2012, Z.M. Portman, T. latior (1 ♂ 1 ♀ UCRC) ; St. Thomas Gap (36.4023 -114.093): 1 ♂, 7 Jun 1998, F.D. Parker ; St. Thomas Gap (36.4041 -114.0933): 1 ♀, 27 Aug 1998, O.J. Messinger, S. Messinger, C. Schultz ; St. Thomas Gap (36.4058 - 114.0937): 1 ♂, 29 Jun 1998, M. Andres, K. Keen, K. Receveur, C. Schultz ; St. Thomas Wash (36.435 -114.4363): 2 ♀, 5 Aug 1998, M. Andres, C. Schultz; Tramp Ridge, E (36.3905 -114.1287): 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 4 Aug 1998, M. Andres, C. Schultz; Weiser Ridge, 1.89 mi E (36.589 -114.5295): 1 ♂, 17 May 2005, R. Andrus, N. sp..

Additional material examined. Total specimens: 10 ♂ 106 ♀. NEVADA: Clark Co.: Blue Point Spr. (36.3912 -114.4295) : 1 ♀, 30 Apr 2004, S.M. Higbee, Tiquilia sp.; Boulder City, 23 mi NE (36.1572 -114.7933): 3 ♀, 30 Apr 1986, P.F. & D.M. Torchio, Sphaeralcea sp.; Glendale, 20 mi E (36.4431 -114.4272): 7 ♂ 54 ♀, 2 May 1986, P.F. & D.M. Torchio, Nama sp.; Kaolin Wash, S (36.479 -114.5267): 1 ♀, 27 Aug 1998, O.J. Messinger, S. Messinger, C. Schultz, T. latior ; Riverside, 7.5 km SW; Virgin Valley; New Gold Butte Rd (36.68514 -114.27375): 2 ♂ 4 ♀, 16 May 2012, Z.M. Portman, T. latior ; St. Thomas Wash (36.435 -114.4363): 1 ♂ 29 ♀, 5 Aug 1998, M. Andres, C. Schultz; Tramp Ridge, E (36.3905 -114.1287) : 12 ♀, 4 Aug 1998, M. Andres, C. Schultz; Weiser Ridge, 1.89 mi E (36.589 -114.5295): 2 ♀, 17 May 2005, R. Andrus, N. sp..

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the Latin prodigiosus, meaning “unnatural,” “wonderful,” or “prodigious” due to the bizarre features of the male.

Remarks. The male of P. prodigiosa is unique among Perdita in having the metasoma dorsoventrally flattened. That character, along with the quadrate head and brown coloration suggest that the male may spend a lot of time in the nest. This hypothesis is tentatively supported by the relatively few males that have been collected compared to females (28 males versus 127 females). However, the largest specimens do not show a reduced wing size found in the nestbound dimorphic males of Macrotera portalis ( Danforth 1991) . The female is variable in the extent of dark markings on the face and metasoma. The metasoma can range from almost entirely tan to tan heavily marked with brown. Especially in specimens that have been lightened from pan-trapping or storage in alcohol, the area of the face below the antennae can take on a very light tan color.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Stiff, curved setae on the apex of the outer face of the mid tibia in females. (A) Perdita scutellaris (DEVA 55374; Inyo Co., CA). (B) P. prodigiosa (BBSL 319173; Clark Co., NV). Scale bar = 100 micrometers (both images at the same scale).

FIGURE 4. Second submedial cell of forewing. (A) Perdita vesca female, present (BBSL 816135; Harney Co., OR). (B) P. prodigiosa female, 2 m-cu vein weakened dorsally (paratype, BBSL 344037; Clark Co., NV). (C) P. bellula female, absent / weakened (BBSL 316794; Clark Co., NV). (D) P. wasbaueri male, absent / weakened (BBSL 842242; Imperial Co., CA).

FIGURE 14. Ant-like males. (A) Perdita pilonotata small-headed male (BBSL 808042; Chihuahua, MEX). (B) P. pilonotata large-headed male (BBSL 810335; Chihuahua, MEX). (C) P. pilonotata metasoma (BBSL 808042). (D) P. prodigiosa smallheaded male (paratype, BBSL 813551; Clark Co., NV). (E) P. prodigiosa large-headed male (paratype, BBSL 813549; Clark Co., NV). (F) P. prodigiosa metasoma (paratype, BBSL 344092; Clark Co., NV). Scale bars of heads 0.25 mm, scale bars of metasoma 0.5 mm. Note: Both species have males with intergrading medium-sized heads that are not pictured.

FIGURE 20. Miscellaneous female metasomas. (A) Perdita bellula, typical coloration (103744; San Bernardino Co., CA). (B) P. bellula, melanized (BBSL 316794; Clark Co., NV). (C) P. desdemona (paratype, UCRC 185342; San Bernardino Co., CA). (D) P. exusta (paratype, 141946; Clark Co., NV). (E) P. prodigiosa, light coloration (BBSL 344016). (F) P. prodigiosa, dark coloration (paratype, BBSL 344044; Clark Co., NV). (G) P. rhodogastra (BBSL 271666; Clark Co., NV). (H) P. vesca, dark typical coloration (BBSL 816172; Harney Co., OR). (I) P. vesca, light coloration (BBSL 904881; Nye Co., NV). All scale bars 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 22. Miscellaneous female faces. (A) Perdita bellula (BBSL 813459; Imperial Co., CA). (B) P. desdemona (paratype, BBSL 289006; San Bernardino Co., CA). (C) P. exusta (paratype, 141952; Clark Co., NV). (D) P. vesca, dark coloration (BBSL 816172; Harney Co., OR). (E) P. vesca, light coloration (BBSL 904881; Nye Co., NV). (F) P. prodigiosa, dark coloration (paratype, BBSL 813546; Clark Co., NV). (G) P. prodigiosa, light coloration (paratype, BBSL 318844; Clark Co., NV). All scale bars 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 23. Male pygidial plates. (A) Perdita arenaria (BBSL 814703; Imperial Co., CA). (B) P. bellula (103717; San Bernardino Co., CA). (C) P. coldeniae (UCRC 277998; Imperial Co., CA). (D) P. exusta (141888; Clark Co., NV). (E) P. frontalis (BBSL 989204; Imperial Co., CA). (F) P. hippolyta (paratype, BBSL 844677; Culberson Co., TX). (G) P. hooki (note: the pygidial plate is from a dissected specimen and the lateral edges have been artificially enhanced to give a better idea of the lateral edges, paratype, BBSL 852902; Coahuila de Zaragoza, MEX). (H) P. maculosa (BBSL 668379; Clark Co., NV). (I) P. nuttalliae (paratype, BBSL 816190; Harney Co., OR). (J) P. optiva (BBSL 813428; Imperial Co., CA). (K) P. pilonotata (CAVE 17654; Eddy Co., NM). (L) P. prodigiosa (paratype, BBSL 344085; Clark Co., NV). (M) P. rhodogastra (UCRC 277717; Yuma Co., AZ). (N) P. scutellaris (DEVA 55305; San Bernardino Co., CA). (O) P. sexfasciata (141736; San Bernardino Co., CA). (P) P. sycorax (note: the picture is taken at an angle but it still accurately represents the shape the pygidial plate, paratype, 37225; Emery Co., UT). (Q) P. titania (pygidial plate is artificially outlined for better visibility, paratype, UCRC 166000; Imperial Co., CA). (R) P. trifasciata (141767; Chihuahua, MEX). (S) P. vesca (BBSL 816156; Harney Co., OR). (T) P. wasbaueri (BBSL 904842; Imperial Co., CA). (U) P. yanegai (UCRC 50407; Riverside Co., CA). Scale bar = 0.1 mm. All images are at the same scale.

FIGURE 24. Female pygidial plates. (A) Perdita arenaria (BBSL 289244; Clark Co., NV). (B) P. bellula (103744; San Bernardino Co., CA). (C) P. coldeniae (BBSL 813873; Imperial Co., CA). (D) P. desdemona (holotype, BBSL 289742; San Bernardino Co., CA). (E) P. exusta (paratype, 141946; Clark Co., NV). (F) P. frontalis (BBSL 813797; Imperial Co., CA). (G) P. hippolyta (paratype, BBSL 844647; Culberson Co., TX). (H) P. hooki (paratype, 141840; Terrell Co., TX). (I) P. maculosa (UCRC 179125; Riverside Co., CA). (J) P. nuttalliae (142005; Box Elder Co., UT). (K) P. optiva (BBSL 284974; Clark Co., NV). (L) P. pilonotata (neotype, UCRC 182770; Otero Co., NM). (M) P. prodigiosa (paratype, BBSL 319169; Clark Co., NV). (N) P. rhodogastra, pointed (FDP 102612; Maricopa Co., AZ). (O) P. rhodogastra, rounded (BBSL 271674; Clark Co., NV). (P) P. scutellaris (BBSL 904845; Imperial Co., CA). (Q) P. sexfasciata (BBSL 295303; Clark Co., NV). (R) P. sycorax (paratype, 37238; Emery Co., UT). (S) P. titania (holotype, BBSL 326372; San Bernardino Co., CA). (T) P. trifasciata (FDP 75046; Brewster Co., TX). (U) P. vesca (BBSL 339200; Nye Co., NV). (V) P. wasbaueri (141836; Imperial Co., CA). (W) P. yanegai (UCRC 221828; San Bernardino Co., CA). Scale bar = 0.1 mm. All images are at the same scale.

FIGURE 41. Distribution of (A) Perdita prodigiosa (circles) and P. optiva (triangles), (B) P. rhodogastra. Scale bar = 100 km.

FIGURE 44. Perdita prodigiosa (A) female lateral habitus (paratype, BBSL 319169; Clark Co., NV), (B) male lateral habitus (paratype, BBSL 813551; Clark Co., NV). Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURE 56. Male S 8 in dorsal view. (A) Perdita arenaria (BBSL 814693; Imperial Co., CA). (B) P. bellula (BBSL 842486; Riverside Co., CA). (C) P. coldeniae (BBSL 813338; Yuma Co., AZ). (D) P. exusta (BBSL 578345; Clark Co., NV). (E) P. frontalis (BBSL 813814; Imperial Co., CA). (F) P. hippolyta (paratype, CAVE 4578; Eddy Co., NM). (G) P. hooki (paratype, BBSL 852902; Coahuila, MEX). (H) P. maculosa (BBSL 638408; Clark Co., NV). (I) P. nuttalliae (BBSL 816192; Harney Co., OR). (J) P. optiva (BBSL 814695; Imperial Co., CA). (K) P. pilonotata (CAVE 17654; Eddy Co., NM). (L) P. prodigiosa (BBSL 344096; Clark Co., NV). Scale bar = 0.25 mm. All images are at the same scale.

FIGURE 59. Male genital capsules in ventral and dorsal view. (A) Perdita maculosa dorsal and (B) ventral (BBSL 638408; Clark Co., NV). (C) P. nuttalliae dorsal and (D) ventral (BBSL 641661; Tooele Co., UT). (E) P. optiva dorsal and (F) ventral (BBSL 814695; Imperial Co., CA). (G) P. pilonotata dorsal and (H) ventral (CAVE 17654; Eddy Co., NM). (I) P. prodigiosa dorsal, (J) dorsal, and (K) lateral (BBSL 344096; Clark Co., NV). (L) P. rhodogastra dorsal and (M) ventral (BBSL 817848; Riverside Co., CA). (N) P. scutellaris dorsal and (O) ventral (DEVA 55310; San Bernardino Co., CA). Scale bar = 0.25 mm. All images are at the same scale.