Anthidiellum (Pycnanthidium) otavicum (Cockerell)

Eardley, Connal, 2018, Taxonomic revision of the sub-Saharan Anthidiellum Cockerell (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini), Zootaxa 4402 (2), pp. 201-250 : 227-231

Anthidiellum (Pycnanthidium) otavicum (Cockerell)

( Figs 21–23 )

Dianthidium otavicum COcKERELL, 1936B: 452–453, MALE HOLOtyPE (NHML, EXAMINED) OtAVI, NAMIBIA. Anthidiellum (Pycnanthidiellum) otavicum (COcKERELL): MIcHENER AND GRISWOLD 1994: 301.

Diagnosis. This species, within the confines of its species-group that is characterized by a rounded upper epistomal suture ( Fig. 1a ), has few unique features. Most reliable, the vertical surface of the propodeum is only shiny mediolongitudinally. It is reticulate in A. absonulum and punctate in A. zebra and A. spilognathum , its most similar congeners. The interantennal socket area and supraclypeus are black, as in A. spilognathum , which differs in that the propodeum is largely punctate, and A. polyochrum , in which the propodeum is completely glabrous and shiny. The male S3 is devoid of a median spine, unlike A. zebra and A. spilognathum . S4 has a uniquely bifid posteromedian tubercle with the posterior extremities acutely pointed, and the posterior comb on S5 has shorter setae laterally than medially.

Description. Female. Integument black with variable, often very limited golden to blackish yellow maculation on lower face (entire length of mediolongitudinal interantennal socket area and supraclypeus black, mediolongitudinal clypeus sometimes black), outer, distal ends of all tibiae, lateral T1–T3, T3–T5 lateral to crossbands, T6 black or yellow; distal margins T1–T5 black or translucent orange, metasomal venter blackish. Scopa very pale yellow ( Fig. 21a–c ). Lengths: face 1.9–2.2 mm; scutum 1.5–1.6 mm; forewing 4.0– 4.4 mm; body 4.7–4.9 mm. Structure. Head. Epistomal suture convex above epistomal pit ( Fig. 1a ); lower epistomal suture projection adjacent to opposite inner antennal socket edge ( Fig. 1a ); preoccipital area rounded; omaulus carinate; fore and middle femora with sparse, plumose vestiture posteriorly; hind basitarsus wide (length 1.5x width); propodeum coarsely striate dorsolaterally, vertical surface punctate dorsally, mostly glabrous and shiny ventrally; distal margins T1–T5 impunctate.

Male. Integument black with variable, often very limited golden-yellow maculation - always on lower face (mediolongitudinal interantennal socket area black, supraclypeus yellow), outer hind basitarsus; sometimes posterolateral vertex, mandible, pronotal lobe, lateral scutum, axilla, posterolateral scutellum, ventrally fore and middle femora, dorsal tibiae (anteromedian middle and hind tibiae sometimes black); sometimes metasoma lateral T1–T3; always T4–T7 (extent of yellow increases towards posterior end of metasomal); distal terga margins impunctate, T1–T4 black or blackish, T5–T6 translucent orange, metasomal venter yellowish ( Fig. 22a–c ); S5–S8 and gonocoxa as illustrated (Fig. 19e–i). Lengths: head 1.8 mm; scutum 1.5 mm; forewing 4.1 mm; body 4.0 mm. Structure. Head. Preoccipital region rounded on gena; omaulus carinate; forebasitarsus without posterior fringe; propodeum coarsely striate dorsolaterally, vertical surface punctate dorsally, mostly shiny; T6–T7 unmodified posteromedially, T7 distal edge truncate in dorsal view, truncate to slightly pointed in ventral view; S2–S3 without distinct raised posteromedian region, nor a posteromedian spine; S3 posterior fringe on two-thirds posterior edge, longer hairs medially; S4 with narrow bifid spine posteromedially; S5 concave mediolongitudinally, entire posterior edge with comb of short black setae (not longer laterally), distinctly interrupted medially ( Fig. 22d, i ); S6–S8 and gonocoxa as illustrated ( Fig. 22d–h ).

Distribution ( Fig. 23 ). Anthidiellum otavicum is widespread in Africa south of the Equator.

Material examined. Type material. Male holotype of Dianthidium otavicum : ‘S.W. AFRICA: Otavi. 27.xii.1933. j.Ogilvie. B.M. 1934–142., Dianthidium otavicum ♂. Ckll TYPE, Type, B.M. TYPE HYM. 17a. 1931., BMNH€#971059’, NHML.

Additional material. Equitorian Guinea. Uelleburg, S.G. Tessmann (1♀ ZMHB, labelled as female holotype of Anthidium orichalciscopatum but not a type according to publication) . Kenya . Malindi , 22km S, 26.v.1967, C.D. Michener (2♀ 5♂ KU) . Tanzania. Uamgebiet, Bosam, 21–31.iii.1914, S. Tessmann (1♂ ZMHB) . Zambia. Livingstone, 30km W, 19–22.xii.2002, J. Halada (1♂ SC) . Mozambique. Manje, 15km SSE, 15.29S 33.16E, 2– 4.xii.2005, Kadlecova (2♂ SC) . Namibia. Salambala Forest, Katima Mulilo district, 17.50S 24.38E, 23–29.xii.2002, A.H. & M.K. Kirk-Spriggs (8♀ 8♂ SMWN) ; Salambala camp site, Katima Mulilo district , 17.50S 24.36E, 28– 29.xii.2002, A.H. & M.K. Kirk-Spriggs (8♀ SMWN) ; Xawasha Pan, 2km W, Tsumkwe district , 19.09S 20.52E, 26– 27.xii.1998, A.H. & M.K. Kirk-Sprigg, E. Marais (1♀ SMWN) . Zimbabwe. Bulawayo, 15.ii.1921, R.H.R. Stevenson (1♀ SANC), Bulawayo, 26.xii.1912, G. Arnold (1♂ TMSA) . South Africa. SE Ndumo, 24.i.2003, M. Snizek (1♂ SC); Mogol Nature Reserve, Ellisras district , 23.58S 27.45E, 25–26.i.1982, C.D. Eardley (1♀ SANC) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Anthidiellum, FEMALE,FAcE SHOWINg SHAPE OF cLyPEUS.A.DIStINctLy ROUNDED ABOVE.B.SLIgHt ROUNDED ABOVE.

FIGURE 21. Anthidiellum otavicum.A–B FEMALE.A.HABItUS.B. FAcE.c–D.MALE.c. HABItUS.

FIGURE 22. Anthidiellum otavicum, MALE. A. FAcE. B. HABItUS, DORSAL. c. T6–T7, DORSAL VIEW. D. S5, VENtRAL VIEW. E. GONOStyLUS.F.S8. g. S7. H.S6.I. S5.

FIGURE 23.KNOWN DIStRIBUtION OF Anthidiellum otavicum.