Xylocopa bella, MELO, 2016

MELO, GABRIEL A. R., 2016, A NEW SPECIES OF XYLOCOPA (NANOXYLOCOPA) FROM BRAZIL (HYMENOPTERA, APIDAE), Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 56 (9), pp. 103-107 : 104

Xylocopa (Nanoxylocopa) Hurd & Moure, 1963

This subgenus was proposed by Hurd & Moure (1963) for a single species, X. ciliata Burmeister, 1876 . The new species described here, X. bella sp. nov., was recognized a long time ago by Moure based on a single female from Minas Gerais. The name remained unpublished and it is here proposed after additional specimens from Bahia have been obtained, including the male. The female of the new species shares with X. ciliata the characteristic medial protuberance on the frons, with a tuberculiform shape and positioned almost halfway between the upper tangent of the antennal alveoli and the lower tangent of the anterior ocellus, a medial emargination on the posterior margin of the S1, and the gentle curvature of the posterior margin of the metanotum, which advances onto the metaposnotum medially (this last character is shared with females of a larger clade to which the subgenus belongs). Also, the male of X. bella sp. nov. has the typical large and coarsely punctate tegulae exhibited by the males of X. ciliata .

One of the features exhibited by the male of X. bella sp. nov., but absent in X. ciliata , is a distinct patch of dense plumose pubescence on the anterior corners of the mesoscutum. Judging from the tight interweaving of the fine hairs, which form a mat on each corner, the structure is likely the evaporative surface of an underlying gland. This character has been observed also on males of a larger group, including those of X. (Megaxylocopa), X. (Neoxylocopa), X. (Stenoxylocopa), X. (Xylocopina), and X. (Xylocopoda). Although not available for study, males of X. (Cirroxylocopa) and X. (Monoxylocopa) are expected to also possess this character, due to their close relationship with X. (Nanoxylocopa) and X. (Xylocopoda) (unpublished data). Males of X. (Stenoxylocopa) have a derived condition, in which the patches are smaller and displaced slightly backwards, leaving a glabrous and shiny area on the mesoscutum corners. Among females, only those of X. (Xylocopina) possess such plumose patches on their mesoscutum.