Pseudoanthidium fulviventre ( Friese, 1917 ), 2024

Kasparek, Max, 2024, New species, new synonyms, and resurrected taxa: A review of West and Central Palaearctic members of the genus Pseudoanthidium (Apoidea: Megachilidae), Zootaxa 5541 (1), pp. 1-50 : 8-10

Pseudoanthidium fulviventre ( Friese, 1917) comb. nov.

( Figs 4 , 20 , 22 )

Anthidium fulviventre Friese, 1917 .—Female, Russia (Siberia: Irkutsk).

Anthidium (Proanthidium) fulviventre Friese, 1917 .— Pasteels (1969).

Material: RUSSIA: Holotype, female, RUSSIA: Siberia , Irkutsk, 1897. “ Anthidium fulviventre ♀ n. Fr. 1910 Friese det.“ / „ Pseudoanthidium fulviventre Fr. J. Pasteels det. 1964” / “Holotype Anthidium fulviventre Friese ♀, det. v. d. Zanden ‘94” ( Figure 4 ).

Genetic barcode information. No genetic data are available.

A rare, overlooked species, known only from a single female. Proshchalykin & Fateryga (2017) noted that this species has not been mentioned since its description and requires revision. They placed it into Anthidium , subgenus Proanthidium . Proshkalykin & Astafurova (2017) classified it as a species with an unclear taxonomic status.

Originally described by Friese (1917), J. Pasteels assigned it to Pseudoanthidium in 1964 based on a specimen label. However, in a later publication ( Pasteels 1969), he attributed it to Anthidium subgenus Proanthidium . Proanthidium is a subgenus which is characterized by a high number of mandibular teeth (10–11) in the female. However, examination of the type specimen revealed only five teeth. Additionally, the scutellum is not indented in the middle and lacks lateral projections (teeth), which are typical traits of Proanthidium . T6 is semi-trapezoid, as in many Pseudoanthidium species, rather than rounded as in Proanthidium . Furthermore, the apical margin of the clypeus is thickened, as in many Pseudoanthidium species. The clypeus also exhibits denser and smaller punctures apically, another feature typical for Pseudoanthidium . Therefore, it is suggested to assign this species to Pseudoanthidium rather than to the subgenus Anthidium (Proanthidium) .

Diagnosis (female): Maculation reddish yellow (yellow in most species of Pseudoanthidium ; yellow-red or red in P. royoi , P. microrubrum , P. puncticolle [partim; only females?], P. canariense , and P. jacobii ). It is distinguished from P. royoi by the presence of smooth lateral flanges of T6 (as opposed to the median bilobed protrusion in P. royoi ), from P. microrubrum by its size (being a robust species, 9.5–10 m in length, compared to the smaller 8 mm long P. microrubrum ), from P. puncticolle by its black, broad-lipped apical ridge of the clypeus (narrow, fine, brown ridge in P. puncticolle ), and from P. canariense and P. jacobii by the apically protruding clypeus (apical margin retracted and covered with a dense, moustache-like fringe of hairs in P. canariense and P. jacobii ). Other distinguishing characteristics include the protruding clypeus with a thick apical ridge adorned with low tubercles, the strongly inward-curving anterior margin of the clypeus, and T6 being black with a shallow lamellate flange on each side of the middle.

Description (female): 9.5–10 mm long.— Head: Black with a broad preoccipital band extending to the area behind the upper third of the eye; clypeus as long as wide, reddish yellow, with a black apical ridge strongly protruding and adorned with rounded tubercles ( Figs 4b–c , 20 ); broad transition zone between the disc and ridge, also black, with fine punctation; basal margin of clypeus curving inward; mandible yellow with five brown, rounded teeth separated by acute notches; supraclypeal area partly impunctate; large reddish yellow maculation present in lower paraocular area; small area around the ocelli impunctate; antenna brown, with the base of the scape light yellowish brown.— Mesosoma : Scutum shining, densely punctate, with punctures mostly separated by half their diameters, but up to two diameters in the centre ( Fig. 4d ); scutellum and axillae reddish yellow except for the base; outer margin of scutellum lamellate laterally; scutellum conspicuously overhanging propodeum.— Metasoma: Terga finely punctate, noticeably finer than on scutum; punctation somewhat irregular, with punctures 1–3 puncture diameters apart in anterior terga; punctation coarser and denser on posterior terga; puncture size variable on all terga; T1–T5 with reddish yellow lateral maculations; spots on T1–T3 large, but not reaching the middle; T4 with medium-sized spots, and T5 with a very small spot; T6 entirely black, with dense, rugulose punctation; median lobe and small smooth shoulder on each side of the middle (in dorsal view) ( Fig. 22 ); S1–S5 reddish yellow, S6 black; ventral scopa yellow to blackish brown.— Legs: Reddish yellow with black base (trochanter, anterior femora).— Wing: Strongly brownish infuscated.

Male. Not known.

Distribution: Only known from Irkutsk, Siberia ( Russia).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Holotype of Pseudoanthidium fulviventre (Friese, 1917) stat. nov. Female from Russia. a. Apical terga; b. Face. Note the black, straight apical ridge of the clypeus; c. Clypeus; d. Mesosoma from dorsal; e. Habitus lateral.

FIGURE 20. Face of the female of Palaearctic species of Pseudoanthidium (continued on the following page).

FIGURE 22. Apical terga of females of Palaearctic Pseudoanthidium species.