Chilicola chubutense Packer

Packer, Laurence & Genaro, Julio A., 2007, Fifteen new species of Chilicola (Hymenoptera: Apoidea; Colletidae), Zootaxa 1468, pp. 1-55 : 16-17

Chilicola chubutense Packer , n. sp.

( Figs. 6A–F )

Diagnosis: Extremely similar to the previous species, but with forefemur and hind tibia almost entirely dark, pubescence on metasomal sterna longer, the carina on the inner surface of the hind tibia more basal in position ( Fig. 6C ) and penis valves with two membranous lobes ( Fig. 6F ). Thus, the combination of forefemur dark except for narrow apical ring; hind tibia entirely dark, laterally compressed except at extreme apex ( Fig. 6B ) with single carina on inner surface (with base of carina much closer to base of tibia than the apex of the carina is to the apex of the tibia) ( Fig. 6C ), two membranous lobes on the penis valves ( Fig. 6F ) plus S2–S5 with posteromedially directed patches of suberect pubescence approximately 1.5MOD in length is sufficient to separate this species from all other Chilicola known to us. Details of S7 are also unique ( Fig. 6D ). The female is unknown.

Description. Male: body length 4.2mm, wing length 3.0mm, head width 1.1mm.

Colouration: As for C. unicarinata except facial markings paler, anterior yellow stripe on scape narrow, spot on pedicel small, hind tibia entirely dark except at extreme base and narrowly at extreme apex; tegula transparent, posterior 0.33X and anterior spot cream; wing veins amber except for costa and 2nd abcissa of M+Cu brown and stigma testaceous.

Surface sculpture: As for C. unicarinata except punctures deeper, more distinct and slightly denser throughout, except on metasoma; dorsolateral area of propodeum more coarsely rugose.

Pubescence: As for C. unicarinata except S2–S5 with longer posteromedially directed hairs, longest laterally ~1.5MOD, shorter medially 0.75MOD, longest hairs subequal in length on all sterna, sparser on S5.

Structure: As for C. unicarinata except as follows:

Head: Clypeus longer than broad (11:10) ( Fig. 6A ), with weak broad incomplete median longitudinal depression. Supraclypeal area broader, length to breadth 17:10. Flagellomeres slightly shorter, for F8, length:breadth 9:8.

Mesosoma : Dorsal surface of propodeum shorter than scutellum, ratio of scutellum:metanotum:propodeum 37:20:33. Hind femur slightly narrower, length to depth of femur 10:3 ( Fig. 6B ). Hind tibia with oblique carina on inner surface more basal in position than in previous species, distance from base of tibia to base of carina almost 2X distance from apex of carina to apex of tibia ( Fig. 6C ). Basal vein curved near middle; stigma shorter in relation to marginal cell, ratio 53:76, stigmal margin on marginal cell more evenly convex.

Metasoma: As in C. unicarinata .

Terminalia : S7 with one pair of well developed lateral lobes; dorsal lobes subparallel to one another, hairs finer than in previous species; remnant of ventral lobe as short as in C. unicarinata but extending posteriorly as short, twisted extension ( Fig. 6D ). S8 with lateral lobes shorter and broader and apical lobe broader than in C. unicarinata ( Fig. 6E ). Penis valve with one membranous lobe longer than in previous species ( Fig. 6F ).

Material studied. Holotype male and one paratype: ARGENTINA, Chubut, 8km S, of Rada Tilly, 45°59’043S, 72°36’322W, 30m, 24.xi.2003, L. Packer; the paratype bears an additional blue label: VOUCHER SPECIMEN DNA EXTRACTION E.A.B. Almeida #67 extraction date: 7/2004. The holotype is at MACN; what remains of the paratype is at PYU.

Comments. The only known specimens of this species were collected in scrub habitat close to the edge of a small pond just to the west of the coastal highway. The paratype was used for DNA extraction and is missing most of the mesosoma .

Figures

FIGURES 6 A – F. Chilicola chubutense Packer, n. sp., male. A. frontal view of the head. B. Hind leg. C. hind tibia showing carina, inner view on left, dorsal view on right. D. S 7. E. S 8. F. genital capsule. Dorsal views are at the left. Stippling in A – C indicates pale colouration, in F membranous areas.