Lasioglossum (Dialictus) dispersum, Gibbs, 2018

Gibbs, Jason, 2018, Bees of the genus Lasioglossum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) from Greater Puerto Rico, West Indies, European Journal of Taxonomy 400, pp. 1-57 : 6-13

Lasioglossum (Dialictus) dispersum sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:36BD3C86-C7F7-4B36-B542-2A5190FE1190

Figs 2–3 , 4B , 5

Diagnosis

Both sexes of L. dispersum sp. nov. can be recognized by the combination of tegula oval without extended posterior angle, mesepisternum punctate and metasoma brown. The female has a distinct oblique propodeal carina, T2–T3 basolaterally with appressed tomentum, and T2–T3 apical impressed areas distinctly, but finely punctate. In size and sculpturing, L. dispersum sp. nov. is similar to members of the L. parvum species complex, but can be recognized by the unmodified tegula. Females of L. enatum sp. nov. have finer mesoscutal punctures and the T2–T3 apical impressed areas impunctate. Lasioglossum genaroi sp. nov. is similar, but has rugose to reticulate-rugose mesepisternal sculpturing and typically a larger body size, which in females is significantly larger on average (t = 3.2, df = 17.6, p = 0.005), and it has a darker blue colour. Lasioglossum amona sp. nov. is most similar, differing only in the female having a paler green integument, a honey-coloured tegula, a smoother mesepisternum and a less distinct oblique propodeal carina.

Etymology

The specific epithet is taken from the Latin for “scattered, dispersed”, which is a reference to the ability of this species and its ancestors to colonize islands in the Caribbean. The Latin dispersum is a participle in the nominative neuter singular.

Material examined

Holotype PUERTO RICO: ♀, Cabo Rojo, Boqueron , 17°58.994′ N, 67°08.455′ W, Field House, ground bee bowl, 12–16 May 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( JBWM) . [Original label: USA, PR Boqueron N17°58.994′ W67° 08.455′, Field House, ground bee bowl, 12–16 May 2014, S.G. Prado leg., #49 // HOLOTYPE Lasioglossum (Dialictus) dispersum Gibbs. ]

Paratypes PUERTO RICO: Barceloneta: 1 ♀, [no locality], ex rose, 21 Feb. 1933, Anderson, Mills and Faxon leg. ( NMNH) ; 1 ♀, [no locality], 15 Nov. 1932, Anderson, Faxon and Mills leg. ( NMNH). – Bayamón: 1 ♂, [no locality], ex milkweed, 2 Jun.1934, Anderson and Lesesne leg. ( NMNH) . – Cabo Rojo: 1 ♀, Boqueron, Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS , 17°58.816′ N, 67°10.231′ W, ground bee bowl, 20–28 May 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU); 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, ground bee bowl, 27 May–13 Jun. 2014 ( NCSU) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, ground bee bowl, 5 Jun. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, 1 ♂, same locality as preceding, Malaise trap, 27 May–13 Jun. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same locality as preceding, net, 29 May 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU); 5 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 3 Jun. 2014 ( NCSU) ; 1 ♀, 1 ♂, same collection data as preceding, 5 Jun. 2014 ( NCSU); 35 ♀♀, Las Palmas , Field House, 17°58.994′ N, 67°08.455′ W, ground bee bowl, 12–16 May 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( JBWM); 1 ♀, Los Morrillos State Forest , near the lighthouse, 17°56ʹ08ʺ N, 67°11ʹ35ʺ W, 20 May 2010, E. Castro-Feliu leg. ( UPRM). – Cataño: 1 ♂, 1932, C.F. Dolman leg. ( AMNH) . – Culebra: 1 ♀, Isla Culebra, Punta Flamenco , 7 Nov. 2008, J.A. Genaro leg. ( JAGC) . – Fajardo: 1 ♀, Cabezas de San Juan , Oct. 1997, J.A. Genaro leg. ( JAGC) . – Guánica: 1 ♂ stylopized, Bosque Estatal de Guánica , 17.84° N, 66.86° W, light trap, 5 Jun. 1996, M. Canals leg. ( LACM) ; 1 ♂, same collection data as preceding, 4 Jul. 1997 ( LACM); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 20 Jul. 1998 ( LACM); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 18 Aug. 1997 ( LACM); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 24 Aug. 1996 ( LACM); 3 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 15 Sep. 1996 ( LACM); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 19 Sep. 1996 ( LACM) ; 1 ♀, Bosque Estatal de Guánica , 17.961° N, 66.847° W, 75 ft a.s.l., Malaise trap, 19–25 Sep. 1998, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 5 ♀♀, Bosque Estatal de Guánica , 17.967° N, 66.878° W, 360 ft a.s.l., Malaise trap, 19–27 Sep. 1998, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 2 ♂♂, Bosque Estatal de Guánica , 17.972° N, 66.868° W, 400 ft a.s.l., 19–28 Sep. 1998, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 1 ♀, Bosque Estatal de Guánica , 17.84° N, 66.86° W, light trap, 23 Sep. 1997, M. Canals leg. ( LACM); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 29 Sep. 1996 ( LACM); 1 ♂, same collection data as preceding, 16 Oct. 1996 ( LACM); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 4 Nov. 1996 ( LACM); 1 ♂, same collection data as preceding, 21 Dec. 1996 ( LACM). – Guayanilla: 1 ♀, May 2006, J.A. Genaro leg. ( JAGC) ; 1 ♀, Ventana , ex Waltheria indica L., Feb. 2009, J.A. Genaro leg. ( JAGC) . – Maricao: 1 ♂, Damiani , shade, 18°11.862′ N, 66°56.347′ W, net (9:50–11:50), 18 Jun. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) . – Mayagüez: 1 ♀, Carr : 108, km 8.0, 22 Aug. 1969, C.G. Moore leg. ( JAGC) . – Ponce: 1 ♀,A20, 18°02.275′ N, 66°38.585′ W, Malaise trap, 17 Jun.–15 Jul. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 12 Aug.–9 Sep. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 9 Sep.–7 Oct. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 4 Nov.–2 Dec. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same locality as preceding, ground bee bowl, 17 Jun.–15 Jul. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 15 Jul.–12 Aug. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, Costa Oeste, Punta Cucharas , 12 Sep. 2010, J.A. Genaro leg. ( JAGC); 1 ♀, Vasquez , sun, 18°07.4616′ N, 66°38.2638′ W, Malaise trap, 10 Feb.–10 Mar. 2015, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 15 Jul.–12 Aug. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same locality as preceding, elevated bee bowl, 9 Sep.–7 Oct. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 1 ♀, Vasquez , shade, 18°07.4628′ N, 66° 38.1882′ W, ground bee bowl, 9 Sep.–7 Oct. 2014, S. G. Prado leg. ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same locality as preceding, elevated bee bowl, 2 Dec. 2014 – 13 Jan. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) . – Salinas: 1 ♀, [no locality], 23 Mar. 1929, S.T. Danforth leg. ( NMNH) . – San Juan: 2 ♂♂, 13 Sep. 1939 ( NMNH) ; 1 ♂, 28 Jun. 1936, W.A. Hoffman leg. ( NMNH). – Santa Isabel: 1♀, Cohen , 17°59.737′ N, 66°25.451′ W, 24Apr.2013, S.Prado leg.( NCSU); 3♀♀, Gomez , 17°59.705′N, 66°25.063′ W, 23 Jan. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 5 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 13 Mar. 2013 ( NCSU); 3 ♀♀, NW River , 18°0.017′ N, 66°26.115′ W, 24 Jan. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 15 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 13 Mar. 2013 ( NCSU: CCDB-22788 B02 ); 11 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 24 Apr. 2013 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 26 Apr. 2013 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, Portolain , 17°58.632′ N, 66°23.096′ W, 29 Jan. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU: CCDB-22788 B05 ); 5 ♀♀, SE River , 17°58.547′ N, 66°25.063′ W, 22 Jan. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU); 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 28 Jan. 2013 ( NCSU); 9 ♀♀, 1 ♂, same collection data as preceding, 13 Mar. 2013 ( NCSU); 4 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 15 Mar. 2013 ( NCSU); 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 12 May 2013 ( NCSU); 3 ♀♀, SW River , 17°59.496′ N, 66°26.582′ W, 13 Mar. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 15 Mar. 2013 ( NCSU); 4 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 24 Apr. 2013 ( NCSU); 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 26 Apr. 2013 ( NCSU) . – Yauco: 4 ♀♀, A7 Church site , 18°01.830′ N, 66°53.042′ W, ground bee bowl, 23 May–20 Jun. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 4 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 20 Jun.–18 Jul. 2014 ( NCSU); 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 18 Jul.–15 Aug. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 15 Aug.–12 Sep. 2014 ( NCSU) ; 4 ♀♀, same locality as preceding, Malaise trap, Jun.–Jul. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 6 ♀♀, Vega , 18°07.724′ N, 66°53.386′ W, Malaise trap, 20 Jun.–18 Jul. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 18 Jul.–15 Aug. 2014 ( NCSU); 4 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 15 Aug.–12 Sep. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 12 Sep.–10 Oct. 2014 ( NCSU); 1 ♀, same locality as preceding, elevated bee bowl, 20 Jun.–18 Jul. 2014, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 5 Nov.–5 Dec. 2014 ( NCSU) ; 1 ♀, Villa Cecilia , 18°08.371′ N, 66°49.230′ W, elevated bee bowl, 12 Feb.–12 Mar. 2015, S.G. Prado leg. ( NCSU) .

US VIRGIN ISLANDS: St. Croix , Anna’s Hope Village: 8 ♀♀, ArtFarm, 17°42.982′ N, 64°41.701′ W, bowls, 20 Mar. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 8 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 18 Apr. 2013 ( NCSU); 2 ♀♀, same locality as preceding, net, 20 Mar. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU: CCDB-22788 B04 ). – Christiansted: 4 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂, [no locality], 1940, H.A. Beatty leg. ( NMNH) . – Northcentral: 2 ♀♀, Dale , 17°44.263′ N, 64°47.920′ W, 18 Mar. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 1 ♀, same locality as preceding, bowl, 6 Jun. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU: CCDB-22788 B06 ) ; 5 ♀♀, Liburd , 17°43.186′ N, 64°48.701′ W, bowls, 21 Mar. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 2 ♀♀, same locality as preceding, net, 21 Mar. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU: CCDB-22788 B03 ). – Southwest: 6 ♀♀, Jackson , 17°42.397′ N, 64°50.022′ W, pepper bowls, 19 Mar. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU) ; 10 ♀♀, same locality as preceding, pumpkin bowls, 19 Mar. 2013, S. Prado leg. ( NCSU). – Buck Island Reef National Monument : 26 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂, 17.7858° N, 64.6269° W, 13 Aug. 2010, I. Lundgren leg. ( PWRC); 1 ♀, 17.7802° N, 64.7616° W, 13 Aug. 2010, I. Lundgren leg. ( PWRC).

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: Anegada Island : 1 ♂, E end, 17 Oct. 1992, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM) . – Guana Island : 1 ♀, The Flat, Malaise trap, 29 Sep. 2006, B.D. Valentine family leg. ( AMNH) ; 1 ♀, flowers, 6 Oct. 2009, D. Valentine leg. ( AMNH); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 8 Oct. 2009 ( AMNH); 1 ♀, 5–sand pit, Malaise trap, 21 Oct. 2001, B. Valentine, leg. ( AMNH); 1 ♀, flowers, 16 Oct. 2009, B.D. Valentine family leg. ( AMNH); 1 ♀, flowers, 17 Oct. 2009, S. Valentine-Cooper leg. ( AMNH); 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 19 Oct. 2009 ( AMNH); 1 ♂, flowers, 20 Oct. 2009, S. Valentine-Cooper leg. ( AMNH); 4 ♀♀, hotel area, 5 Oct. 1991, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 15 Oct. 1991 ( LACM); 2 ♂♂, same collection data as preceding, 19 Oct. 1991 ( LACM); 1 ♂, same collection data as preceding, 21 Oct. 1991 ( LACM); 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 23 Oct. 1991 ( LACM); 2 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 26–27 Oct. 1992 ( LACM); 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂, hotel area, ex Antigonon leptopus , 11 Oct. 1992, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 4 ♀♀, hotel area, ex Capparis cynophallophora , 13–14 Oct. 1992, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 3 ♀♀, same collection data as preceding, 17–19 Oct. 1992 ( LACM); 2 ♀♀, North Beach , 18°29ʹ N, 64°34ʹ W, ex Jacquemontia pentantha , 8 Oct. 1992, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as preceding, 9 Oct. 1992 ( LACM); 1 ♀, North Beach , 28 Oct. 1992, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM) ; 1 ♀, North Beach woods, 18°29ʹ N, 64°34ʹ W, 22 Apr. 1993, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM) ; 1 ♀, plantation area, 18°29ʹ N, 64°34ʹ W, 23 Apr. 1993, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 1 ♀, plantation area, 18°28.7ʹ N, 64°34.4ʹ W, 28 Jun. 1993, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 1 ♀, plantation area, ex Jacquemontia pentantha , 18 Oct. 1992, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 1 ♀, plantation area, 25 Oct. 1992, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 1 ♂, Quail Dove Ghut , Malaise trap, Jan. 2002, W.-P. Liao leg. ( AMNH); 1 ♀, White Beach , 18°29ʹ N, 64°34ʹ W, 5 Jul. 1993, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM); 1 ♀, White Beach flats , 18°28.7ʹN, 64°34ʹ W, Malaise trap, 9 Jul. 1993, R.R. Snelling leg. ( LACM). – Necker Island : 1 ♀, 21 Jul. 1987, S.E. Miller leg. ( LACM) .

Description

Female

MEASUREMENTS. Head length: 1.28–1.48 mm (x= 1.40 mm, n=10); head width: 1.34–1.66 mm (x= 1.50 mm, n =10); intertegular distance: 0.94–1.21 mm (x= 1.12 mm, n =10).

COLOURATION. Head and mesosoma dull metallic golden green, except as follows. Labrum brown. Mandible brown with red apex. Clypeus distal-half dark brown. Supraclypeal area bronze. Antenna dark brown, F9–F10 with ventral surface dark reddish brown. Tegula dark reddish brown. Wing membrane hyaline with dark setae, venation and pterostigma brown. Legs dark brown, except medio- and distitarsi reddish brown. Metasomal terga brown.

PUBESCENCE. Dull white. Relatively sparse erect setae throughout, without tomentum, except narrow basolateral patches of T2–T3 and basally on T4. T1 with complete fan of appressed setae on anterior surface. T2 without apical fimbriae, T3–T4 with only sparse fine setae on apical impressed areas. Scopa well developed on hind leg and metasomal sterna.

SURFACE SCULPTURE. Face imbricate, punctation moderately coarse, finer on frons. Clypeus punctation sparse (i=1–2.5 pd), surface smooth distally (i=2–3 pd), supraclypeal area with punctures moderately dense (i=1–1.5 pd), and lower paraocular area punctation dense (i≤ pd). Upper paraocular area and frons reticulate-punctate (i <0.5 pd). Ocellocular area densely punctate (i≤ pd). Gena and postgena finely carinulate. Mesoscutum tessellate-imbricate, punctation moderately coarse, dense on lateral and posterior portions (i =1–1.5 pd), sparser anteriorly and medially (i=1–3 pd); mesoscutellum similar, with polished submedial impunctate area. Metanotum imbricate. Preëpisternum rugulose. Hypoepimeral area finely, densely punctate (i <0.5 pd). Mesepisternum below scrobe densely punctate (i≤ pd), interspaces imbricate. Metepisternum dorsal ⅓ rugoso-carinulate, ventral portion imbricate. Metapostnotum with longitudinal carinulae reaching ⅔–¾ distance to posterior margin, carinulae on lateral portions extending to dorsolateral slope, raised posterior margin smooth. Propodeum posterior surfaces polished tessellate, distinct punctures on lateral surface (i= 3–5 pd), irregular carinulae on posterior surface. Metasomal terga polished, finely coriarious on T1 anterior surface and apical impressed areas; punctation very fine throughout, including apical impressed areas (i=1–2 pd). Metasomal sterna coriarious and finely, sparsely punctate (i =2–4 pd).

STRUCTURE. Head slightly wider than long (length/width ratio= 0.91–0.95). Eyes weakly convergent below. Clypeus ½ below suborbital tangent. Gena narrower than eye. Hypostomal carinae subparallel. Pronotal dorsolateral angle obtuse. Pronotal ridge rounded, interrupted by sulcus. Tegula ovoid. Submarginal cells three (1rs-m present). Distal hamuli arranged 2-1-2. Inner metatibial spur pectinate, with 3–4 branches, proximal branch much longer than width of rachis. Metapostnotum slight depressed, narrowly rounded onto posterior propodeal surface. Propodeum with lateral carina reaching dorsal margin; oblique carina distinct, delimiting ventral-posterior margin on posterior and lateral margins. T2–T4 impressed areas medially nearly equal to longitudinal length of basal area.

Male

MEASUREMENTS. Head length: 1.26–1.38 mm (x = 1.32 mm, n= 2); head width: 1.29–1.47 mm (x= 1.38 mm, n =2); intertegular distance: 1.00– 1.08 mm (x = 1.04 mm, n=2).

Similar to female except for typical sex associated characters and as follows.

COLOURATION. Head and mesosoma dull metallic blue. Ventral surface of F1–F11 reddish brown. Tarsi brown to brownish yellow. Metasomal terga dark brown.

PUBESCENCE. Face below eye emargination with subappressed tomentum, partially obscuring surface. Metasomal terga without tomentum. Metasomal sterna with sparse, posteriorly directed setae.

SURFACE SCULPTURE. Mesoscutum smoother, punctation slightly sparser. Mesepisternum smooth, shining; punctures deep and distinct. Propodeum lateral surface densely punctate (i =1–1.5 pd). Metasomal terga with apical impressed areas impunctate.

STRUCTURE. Head wider than long (length/width ratio= 0.94–0.97). Eyes convergent below. Ratio of pedicel, F1 and F2 =11:14:25; F2–F11 more than 1.5× as long as wide. Metasomal terga with apical impressed areas medially less than ½ length of basal area.

TERMINALIA. As illustrated in Fig. 4B .

Distribution

Puerto Rico ( Fig. 5 ), British and U. S. Virgin Islands.

Biology

Lasioglossum dispersum sp. nov. has been collected from flowers of Waltheria indica L. ( Malvaceae ). Individuals from Guana Island were collected from Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn. (Polygonaceae) , Jacquemontia pentanthos (Jacq.) G.Don (Convolvulaceae) and Capparis cynophallophora L. ( Capparaceae ). Snelling (1993) also recorded this species from Schaefferia frutescens Jacq. as Lasioglossum sp. 2.

DNA barcodes

Six specimens were successfully sequenced (BOLD Process IDs: NTCOL161-15, BOWGF3200-14, BOWGF3198-14, BOWGF3196-14, BOWGF3197-14, and BOWGF3199-14). Three specimens from the Virgin Islands cluster separately from the three individuals from Puerto Rico, suggesting that there may be limited gene flow between the islands.

Remarks

This species appears to be distributed across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. There is some variation present. Several specimens from Cabo Rojo, Pedernales Province, the Dominican Republic, collected by G.C. Eickwort in 1985 and deposited at CUIC, show close affinity to L. dispersum sp. nov.

Figures

Fig. 2. Lasioglossum dispersum sp. nov., ♀. A. Face. B. Lateral habitus. C. Dorsal habitus. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 3. Lasioglossum dispersum sp. nov., ♂. A. Face. B. Lateral habitus. C. Dorsal habitus. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 4. Line drawings of male genital capsules in ventral (left side) and dorsal (right side) views. A. L. amona sp. nov. B. L. dispersum sp. nov. C. L. eickwortellum (Engel, 2001). D. L. enatum sp. nov. E. L. genaroi sp. nov. F. L. gundlachii (Baker, 1906).

Fig. 5. Distribution map for Lasioglossum dispersum sp. nov. in PuertoRico.