Euglossa moratoi, Nemesio, Andre & Engel, Michael S., 2012

Nemesio, Andre & Engel, Michael S., 2012, Three new cryptic species of Euglossa from Brazil (Hymenoptera, Apidae), ZooKeys 222, pp. 47-68 : 52-55

Euglossa moratoi sp. n. Figures 1625

Holotype.

♂, with the following data: "EIA Porto Trombetas, Cipó I, Zona Leste, 12200-36025" and “Oriximiná, PA, Brasil 25/02/2007, R. B. Martines" (UFMG). The type locality is: Porto Trombetas, in the municipality of Oriximiná, state of Pará, northern Brazil.

Paratypes.

10 ♂♂, with the following label data: "EIA Porto Trombetas, Monte Branco 2, Zona Leste, 11567-34328" and “Oriximiná, PA, Brasil 11/12/2006, R. B. Martines" (UFMG); "idem, 11575-34366" and “idem” (UFMG); "idem, 11578-34374" and “idem” (UFMG); "idem, Cipó 2, Zona Leste, 11634-34512" (SEMC) and "idem, 13/12/2006" and “idem” (UFMG); "idem, Teófilo 2, Zona Leste, 11545-34254" and "idem, 10/12/2006" (UFMG); "ParNa S. do Divisor, 12512-36708" and “Mâncio Lima, AC, Brasil, 21/11/1996, E. F. Morato" (UFMG); "idem, 12541-36759" and “idem” (UFMG); “14507-42692” and “Santarém, PA, Brasil, 11/12/1978, A. Raw", (UFMG); “14917-43369” and "Manaus, AM, Brasil, 08/10/1988, E. F. Morato" (UFMG); "Santa Maria, 04°13'S, 55°58'W, 14396-42535" and "Itaituba, PA, Brasil, 18/01/1979, J. M. F. Camargo" (UFMG).

Diagnosis.

Euglossa moratoi sp. n. can be distinguished most easily from Euglossa crassipunctata , Euglossa sapphirina ,and Euglossa clausi due to its small size (ca.20% smaller than the other species), the projecting pronotal dorsolateral angle which is more acute (slightly pointing) at its apex (differing from the rather bluntly rounded and non-projecting angle in all other species in the crassipunctata group) (Fig. 17; cf. figure 2), and the longer posterior mesotibial tuft relative to those in Euglossa crassipunctata , Euglossa sapphirina , and Euglossa clausi (Figs 19, 20); photographs of the holotypes of Euglossa crassipunctata and Euglossa sapphirina are in Nemésio 2009: 87). The paraocular ivory markings in Euglossa moratoi are not as wide below as in the other three species (Fig. 18). Moreover, Euglossa moratoi is the least bluish of all four species in this complex, with bluish coloration only on the clypeus and upper frons, mesoscutum, and S2 (Figs 16-18), although there is some variation whereby the blue is slightly more extensive but still always less so than the other species. Euglossa crassipunctata and Euglossa clausi , on the other hand, have strong bluish hues on the metasoma, particularly the sterna and also on the metatibia in the latter species. Euglossa sapphirina is an entirely bluish-violet bee. The apical setae of S7 of Euglossa moratoi are restricted to the very outer sides of the invaginated section, whereas such setae are distributed throughout the invaginated section in Euglossa clausi , although these sterna are otherwise virtually identical between the two species. The posterolateral projections of the anterior section of S8 in Euglossa moratoi are strongly prominent and angled (Fig. 22), while they are distinctly weaker in Euglossa clausi , as is the development of the basolateral projections of the posterior section. The gonostylus of Euglossa moratoi is comparatively shorter than in Euglossa clausi and slightly upcurved (in Euglossa clausi it is more straight or even slightly downcurved) (Figs 23-25). Euglossa moratoi is among the smallest of all Euglossa . While the holotype is approximately 8.0 mm in length, some specimens barely exceed 7.0 mm.

Description.

♂: Body length ca. 8.0 mm; forewing length ca. 6.7 mm; head width 3.7 mm; interorbital distance at level of antennal sockets 2.1 mm; maximum interorbital distance 2.2 mm; labiomaxillary complex in repose reaching tip of body; scape length 0.56 mm; compound eye length 2.4 mm; mesoscutellum width 2.0 mm, length 0.93 mm; abdominal width 3.4 mm.

Coloration and vestiture: Clypeus and upper frons dark blue, remainder of face greenish (Fig. 18); ivory paraocular markings well developed, reaching malar area, not very wide below; anterior surface of antennal scape black; mesoscutum bluish-green, mesoscutellum and metasoma green (Figs 16, 17). Wing membranes lightly infumate. Pubescence very sparse, predominantly fulvous on metasoma and around antennal sockets, black and fulvous setae on mesosoma (compared to predominantly black setae in Euglossa clausi ). Protibia and probasitarsus fringed with dense, fulvous setae; velvet area occupying all ventral surface of mesotibia, posterior mesotibial tuft approximately nearly one-third size of anterior tuft, triangular, slightly long and merging with anterior tuft; anterior mesotibial tuft oval, 2.5 times larger than posterior tuft (Figs 19, 20); metatibia oblong-rhomboid, inflated (Fig. 21).

Punctation: Mesoscutum with large circular punctures separated by a puncture width or less except anteromedially separated by a puncture width or greater particularly medially; punctures on mesoscutellum sparser than on disc of mesoscutum, with larger circular punctures separated by a puncture width or greater except along borders punctures separated by less than a puncture width. Punctation on discal base of T1 with large circular punctures of roughly same size more clearly defined medially and separated by less than a puncture width; punctation on T1-T6 dense, comprised of small hexagonal punctures; on T7 sparse relative to preceding terga, with large circular punctures; S2 with very small, widely-separated, semicircular tufts.

Terminalia: Male terminalia as in figures 22-25. S7 largely as in Euglossa clausi , with posterior margin of S7 slightly invaginated mesally, forming a shallow incision with converging sides forming an angle of ~110°, lateral sections slightly curved; apical setae only on outer sides of invaginated section, comprising four alveoli (with one seta each) on each side; notospiculum weak, slightly divided apically, posterolateral projections of anterior section large and pronounced; posterior section triangular, sharply pointed apically, with prominent basolateral points; anteriormost section of gonobase curved ventrally forming an angle of ~100° with remainder of ventral edge; gonostylus simple ('type V’ of Ospina-Torres et al. 2006), lateral section with lobe pointed and slightly curved upwards (sensu Hinojosa-Díaz 2008); gonostylar setae long throughout; dorsal process of gonocoxa well developed, apical process evenly rounded laterally.

♀: Unknown.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym honoring Dr. Élder Ferreira Morato, noted entomologist and close colleague of the senior author.

Baits.

Specimens of this species have been collected mostly at baits of vanillin, although a few specimens were also attracted to cineole, eugenol, and skatole.

Geographic distribution.

Euglossa moratoi seems to be widespread in the Amazon Basin. Males have been collected from the westernmost part of the Brazilian Amazon ( Nemésio and Morato 2004, 2006; Storck-Tonon et al. 2009; Oliveira et al. 2010) to the state of Pará in the east, where the holotype and some paratypes were collected. We have not examined the individuals identified as Euglossa crassipunctata in Rasmussen (2009), but it is possible that those also belong to Euglossa moratoi or perhaps yet another undescribed species (this seems the most likely of the two scenarios).

Comments.

Specimens of this species have been treated as Euglossa crassipunctata in the literature ( Nemésio and Morato 2004, 2006; Storck-Tonon et al. 2009; Oliveira et al. 2010).