Anthidiellum (Pycnanthidium) Krombein

Eardley, Connal, 2018, Taxonomic revision of the sub-Saharan Anthidiellum Cockerell (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini), Zootaxa 4402 (2), pp. 201-250 : 211-212

Anthidiellum (Pycnanthidium) Krombein

Pycnanthidium KROMBEIN, 1951: 292. TyPE SPEcIES: Pycnanthidium solomonis KROMBEIN, 1951, By ORIgINAL DESIgNAtION. Pygnanthidium [!] KROMBEIN: MAVROMOUStAKIS 1963: 4 91–492.

Anthidiellum mediale , A. somaliense , A. zebra , A. absonulum , A. spilognathum , A. otavicum and A. polyochrum apparently form a species-group, within Pycnanthidium , unified by the shape of the female clypeus; convex upper edge ( Fig. 1a ), lower epistomal suture projection to opposite inner antennal socket edge ( Fig. 1a ), and more or less continuous male S5 distal fringe albeit narrow ( Figs 9d , 10e, 13j, 16i). Within this species-group, except for A. mediale in which the lateral scutum is uniquely declivous, it is not possible for me to say which species are more closely related to one another. On the other hand, A. apicatum , A. bipectinatum and A. sternale are united, as a species-group, by a more or less straight upper clypeal edge and only lateral fringes on the male S5. Similar to the first species-group, it is not possible for me to say which of these species are more closely related. The species that could not be confidently identified, namely A. nigripes , A. bulawayense , A. o richalscopatum and A. tegwaniense , and A. nigripes’ synonym, rhodesianum, apparently belong to this species-group.

Diagnosis. The preoccipital carina is never distinct on the genae, only slightly developed behind upper genae; the omaulus is carinate. In A. Chloranthidiellum , this carina is entirely distinctly developed and the omaulus is laminate. The male T6–T7 medioposterior spine is unique; S4 is variable but the distal edge never has mesolateral fringes of 4–5 black setae, as in A. Chloranthidiellum , and S5 variable.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Anthidiellum, FEMALE,FAcE SHOWINg SHAPE OF cLyPEUS.A.DIStINctLy ROUNDED ABOVE.B.SLIgHt ROUNDED ABOVE.

FIGURE 9. Anthidiellum mediale, MALE.A.FAcE.B. HABItUS.c. T6–T7. D.S5.