Pseudaugochlora erythrogaster Almeida

Almeida, Eduardo A. B., 2008, Revision of the Brazilian Species of Pseudaugochlora Michener 1954 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Augochlorini), Zootaxa 1679, pp. 1-38 : 19-21

Pseudaugochlora erythrogaster Almeida sp.n.

Diagnosis. This species is most similar to P. g r a m i n e a, P. callaina , P. indistincta , and P. simulata . The female can be distinguished from those of other species by the characteristic golden, coppery, and/or reddish highlights on their bodies (particularly on the metasoma) (in P. graminea , P. callaina , P. indistincta , and P. s i m u ­ lata body color is variable, but it is generally not as described for P. erythrogaster ); the fine and sparse punctures on the disc of T1, intermixed with fine and sparse punctures (in P. g r a m i n e a and P. i n d i s t i n c t a the punctures are moderately coarse and dense). The male can be distinguished by the strongly hooked F11 ( Fig.1 c; not as strongly hooked in P. g r a m i n e a [ Fig.1 a], P. callaina [ Fig.1 b], and P. indistincta ). In P. f l a m ­ mula the characteristic golden, coppery, and/or reddish highlights are also observed — in P. erythrogaster the angle of the frontal line between supraclypeal and frontal areas gently declivous (approximately 140, as in Fig.6 a; in P. flammula this angle is more abruptly declivous, approximately 100º, Fig.6 b); in P. erythrogaster the integument of the female mesoscutum is microreticulate among punctures (as in Fig.5 a; in P. flammula it is smooth: Fig.5 b).

Description. FEMALE (Holotype)

Color: metallic green with yellowish highlights except: metasomal terga with reddish and coppery highlights; yellow highlights on a narrow band adjacent to eye margin; labrum and most of mandible blackish brown, second third of mandible and its apex dark ferruginous, interspace of mandible with green highlights; apical band on margin of clypeus black, preceded by narrow reddish and golden bands; scape, pedicel and flagellum dorsally blackish brown; ventral surface of flagellum dark brown; tegula brown, inner half with green highlights; wing veins and pterostigma light brown (C and R blackish brown); legs brown, outer face of femora and tibiae with green highlights, distitarsi lighter than other tarsomeres; strigilis and hind tibial spurs ferruginous; marginal area of T1–T4 dark brown, weakly translucent; metasomal sterna blackish brown with weak green highlights. Wings dusky­hyaline.

Pubescence: on clypeus, frons, and vertex between ocelli dark brown to black; on postocellar ridge light brown; on most of paraocular area and on gena white; on mesoscutum dark fuscous; on scutellum and metanotum fuscous; on metapostnotum, propodeum, and mesepisternum whitish; on tibiae and tarsi fuscous; on femora and trochanter whitish; short hairs of T1–T4 whitish, long hairs black; on T5 blackish brown to black; on metasomal sterna pale yellow. On condylar groove and interspace of mandible long, simple and erect; on disc of clypeus moderately long, fine and semierect to semidecumbent, on apical margin longer, simple, and erect; on paraocular area short, densely plumose and erect, intermixed with longer and less plumose hairs; on supraclypeal area short, plumose, and semierect to semidecumbent; on upper portion of frons and on vertex moderately long, moderately plumose, and semierect; on gena long, plumose, and semidecumbent — short, plumose and semierect close to eye margin; on mesoscutum moderately long, moderately plumose, and semierect, intermixed with very short and simple hairs; on scutellar and metanotal fringe long, plumose, and erect, intermixed with simple and very short hairs; on metapostnotum absent; on propodeum and mesepisternum long, densely plumose, and semierect; on anterior surface of T1 moderately long, moderately plumose, and erect; on T2–T4 very short, intermixed with short and semidecumbent setae; on T5 moderately long, moderately plumose and decumbent; on metasomal sterna long, simple, and semidecumbent.

Sculpture: integument smooth and shiny except: outer interspace of mandible longitudinally microrugulose except near base; basal area of labrum rough, smoother near basal elevation; lateral area and upper corner of the clypeus microreticulate, irregularly microreticulate also on median basal area, but here weaker than on sides, most of median region of the disc of the clypeus smooth to weakly rough; anterior face of supraclypeal area (except for a narrow band adjacent to clypeus) and paraocular area rough; on vertex reticulate to rough, with some small smooth regions; scape microreticulate; mesoscutum microreticulate (as in Fig.5 a), anteriorly rough; metanotum irregularly reticulate, microrugulose inside reticulations; metapostnotum reticulate, posteriorly microreticulate inside reticulations; upper corner of posterior surface of propodeum microrugulose; basitibial plate microreticulate; on discs of T1–T4 microreticulate, weak on T1 and T2.

Punctures: on outer interspace of mandible moderately fine and moderately dense, coarser near outer border; on basal area of labrum absent; on clypeus moderately coarse and dense, becoming coarser toward median portion of clypeus and coarse and beveled on apical third; on anterior face of supraclypeal area fine and sparse (three or more diameters apart) intermixed with minute punctures, elsewhere on the supraclypeal area beveled, moderately coarse and dense; on frons moderately fine and very dense; on paraocular area moderately fine and sparse (two to five diameters apart), becoming denser and beveled on its lower portion; on vertex between ocelli protuberant, fine and moderately sparse, between lateral ocellus and eye fine and moderately sparse (one to three diameters); on gena protuberant, moderately coarse and with fine sparse punctures intermixed, finer toward eye margins; on scape beveled fine and very sparse; on dorsal surface of pronotum very fine and moderately dense, intermixed with coarser beveled punctures; on disc of mesoscutum moderately fine (intermixed with coarser punctures) and very dense, sparser between and upon mesoscutal bands; on scutellum fine to minute and dense intermixed with coarse and sparse punctures; on metanotum protuberant fine and sparse; on metapostnotum absent; on posterior surface of propodeum beveled, fine and dense, intermixed with coarser and moderately dense punctures; on anterior surface of T1 moderately fine and sparse, on disc of T1 moderately fine and dense, intermixed with moderately coarse and sparse punctures; on T2 as on T1, but considerably finer; on T3 and T4 minute and moderately sparse.

Structure: disc of clypeus not depressed; epistomal sulcus forming approximately orthogonal angle; frontal carina well marked; angle of the frontal line between supraclypeal and frontal areas gently declivous (approximately 140, as in Fig.6 a); seven unevenly spaced hamuli on hind wing; left inner hind tibial spur with 5 teeth, right spur not visible; basal area of basitibial plate slightly elevated.

Measurements (mm). Approximate length of body = 10.9, anterior wing = 7.8. Length and width of head = 2.4, 3.0. Maximum, inferior and superior distances between eyes = 2.0, 1.58, 1.5. IOC, OOC = 0.29, 0.37; MOD, LOD = 0.22, 0.20. Length and diameter of scape = 1.18, 0.20. Length of pedicel, F1, F2, F3 and F10 = 0.18, 0.17, 0.22, 0.25, 0.36. Diameter of F5 = 0.21. Length and width of mesoscutum = 1.80, 2.05. Length and width of prestigma = 0.26, 0.18. Length and width of pterostigma = 0.93, 0.24. Length and width of marginal cell = 1.76, 0.53.

MALE (Allotype).

Differs from female as follows:

Color: mandible, labrum and apical area of clypeus yellow with brown borders; face light metallic green with yellow and red highlights; scape brown with yellow apical rim; ventral surface of flagellum brown, dorsally blackish brown, except for F1, which is yellowish; tarsi light brown; femora, tibiae and trochanters mostly light green with yellow highlights; tibial spurs and strigilis light yellow; apical margin of T1–T5 translucent dark brown; metasomal sterna light brown, darker on more apical sterna.

Pubescence: predominantly light yellow; whitish on paraocular area, gena, and ventral surface of mesosoma; brownish on S4–S6, especially the hair tufts. On disc of labrum, between and anterior to the two basal elevations, very short and erect; on scape moderately long and moderately plumose; on frons, supraclypeal area and on metasomal terga longer than on female; on S4 and S5 with hair patches forming tufts: S4 with a Yshaped hair patch, hair apices on the stem of this patch entangled and unordered (as in Fig.2 a, but Y­stem slightly shorter and narrower than in P. graminea ), S5 with two lateromedial tufts (as in Fig.2 a); on S6 moderately long, forming an apical fringe.

Sculpture: integument smooth, except: outer interspace of mandible weakly microrugulose, almost smooth; on metanotum irregularly rugulose; on propodeum reticulate, but lacking posterior microreticulate band; upper corner of posterior surface of propodeum rugulose.

Punctures: on outer interspace of mandible absent; on clypeus deeper than on females; on scutellum moderately coarse and dense; on metanotum fine and moderately sparse; on disc of T1 moderately coarse and dense; on T2 as on T1, but finer; on T3 and T4 very fine and moderately sparse.

Structure: epistomal sulcus forming approximately orthogonal angle (more rounded than in female); F11 strongly hooked ( Fig.1 c); angle of the frontal line between supraclypeal and frontal areas gently declivous (approximately 140, as in Fig.6 a); six unevenly spaced hamuli on hind wing; apical margin of S4 emarginate, posterior marginal area of S4 and S5 depressed, forming protuberant anterior meso­lateral areas on S4; S7, S8 and genitalia structurally similar to those of P. graminea ( Figs.3 a, 4a).

Measurements (mm). Approximate length of body = 9.7, anterior wing = 6.2. Length and width of head = 2.14, 2.39. Maximum, inferior and superior distances between eyes = 1.65, 1.05, 1.24. IOC, OOC = 0.18, 0.24; MOD, LOD = 0.19, 0.19. Length and diameter of scape = 0.68, 0.23. Length of pedicel, F1, F2, F3 and F10 = 0.12, 0.17, 0.31, 0.29, 0.30. Diameter of F5 = 0.18. Length and width of mesoscutum = 1.50, 1.75. Length and width of prestigma = 0.30, 0.17. Length and width of pterostigma = 0.84, 0.21. Length and width of marginal cell = 1.44, 0.42.

Variation: The integument of some specimens is not intensely reddish or golden green, but every specimen studied possesses noticeable reddish and golden highlights on the green background, at least on the metasoma; body length varies from ~ 1.1 – 1.4 mm. The clypeus of the female is weakly concave anteriorly in some specimens; punctation on the disc of T1 of some females can be denser (as in Figs.7 c,d,f); integument of the disc of T1 varies from completely smooth and shiny to weakly microreticulate.

Etymology: ‘erythrogaster’ refers to the peculiar reddish (from Greek, “erytho”) metasoma (from Greek, “gaster”) of bees of this species.

Distribution in Brazil: southeastern and central Brazil (states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo).

Period of activity: every month of the year, except September and October.

Holotype (female): “ Brasil, São Paulo, Luis Antonio, Est. Ecol. De Jataí, 22.iv.1999, G.A.R.Melo.”. Type depository: DZUP.

Allotype (male): – “Sta. TEREZA­ES, Brasil 23­I­64, C. ELIAS leg.” ( DZUP).

Paratypes (listed by Brazilian state): Minas Gerais: "Abelhas­Cerrado; Mannesmann; Faz. Itapoã; 5817­ 15905. Paraopeba MG; BRASIL; 02/12/1999; V. Silva" (1Ψ: UFMG); "Viçosa MG; Brasil 23/02/86; L.A.O.Campos. 1026/1/62" (1Ψ: UFV); "DPTº ZOOL; UF­PARANÁ.", "ARAXÁ ­ MG; BRASIL 1/7/1965; Moure­Elias leg" (1Ψ: DZUP); Viçosa MG; Brasil 03/03/87; L.A.O. Campos", "1023/1/61" (1Ψ: UFV); "Ponte Nova ­ MG; Brasil, 14/06/87; F.A. Silveira", "H: 10: 18 P1: 05; A: A.2 F: 0; No: 944/3415" (1Ψ: UFV); "DPTº ZOOL; UF­PARANÁ.", "IBIÁ ­ BRASIL; MG­ 10/12/1965; C.Elias leg." (1ɗ: DZUP); "COLEÇÃO CAMPOS SEABRA", "Sta. Bárbara; M.Gerais BRASIL; V­1955; A.G.A.Silva", "Mun. S. Bárbara ­ MG­ 10­V­ 955 ­ Agas." (1ɗ: DZUP); "DPTº ZOOL; UF­PARANÁ.", "IBIÁ BRASIL, MG­ 10/12/ 1965; C.Elias leg." (1ɗ: DZUP); "Abelhas Cerrado; Mannesmann; Faz. Santa Cruz; 5799­15845", "Felixlândia MG; BRASIL 17/11/1999; A.A. Azevedo" (1ɗ: UFMG); CAMPOS ALTOS­MG; BRASIL­28/8/965; C.Elias leg", " Pseudaugochloropsis " (1Ψ: DZUP); Espírito Santo: "DPTº ZOOL; UF­PARANÁ.", "STA. TEREZA­E.STO; BRASIL 16­28/8/67; C.&C.T.Elias leg" (1f, 1ɗ: DZUP); "DPTº ZOOL; UF­PARANÁ", "STA. TEREZA­E.STO; BRASIL 5/2/67; C.T&C.Elias leg" (1Ψ: DZUP); PARANÁ: "Campus­UEL Londrina; PR, BR 5/VI/1991; Sofia, S.H. leg.", "PI=24; h: 8­10", " Pseudaugochloropsis pandora " (1Ψ: DZUP); "Maringa ­ PR; Brasil V­1961; Marston Laroca" (1Ψ: DZUP); "MARINGÁ ­ PR; Brasil V­1961; Morston Laroca" (1Ψ: DZUP). "MARINGÁ ­ PR; Brasil V­1961; S. LAROCA leg." (1ɗ: DZUP); " BRAZIL ­ Parana; Curitiba; February 1956; (C. D. Michener)"; "G. C. Eickwort; slide no.; 66­0173­4"; "G. C. Eickwort; slide no.; 67­0117­12" (1ɗ: KUNHM); Rio de Janeiro: "COLEÇÃO CAMPOS SEABRA", "S. Bento D.Caxias; Est. Rio de Janeiro; BRASIL VIII­1953; P.A.Teles" (2Ψ: DZUP); "COLEÇÃO CAMPOS SEABRA", "S. Bento; D.Caxias; Est. Rio de Janeiro BRASIL 27­VI­ 954 P. A.Teles" (1Ψ: DZUP); "S. Bento D. Caxias; Est. Rio Janeiro; BRASIL VIII­1953; P. A. Telles" (1Ψ: KUNHM); São Paulo: " Brasil, São Paulo, Teodoro Sampaio, P.E. Morro do Diabo; 22°33'S 52° 19'W. 15.ii.1999, G.A.R.Melo" (1Ψ: DZUP).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Distal flagellomeres of male antenna: (a) P. graminea (Fabricius 1804); (b) P. callaina Almeida, sp. n.; (c) P. erythrogaster Almeida, sp. n.; (d) P. flammula Almeida, sp. n.; (e) P. pandora (Smith 1853). Scale = 0.3 mm.

FIGURE 2. Ventral view of metasoma of male: (a) P. g r a m i n e a (Fabricius 1804); (b) P. callaina Almeida, sp. n.; (c) P. flammula Almeida, sp. n.; (d) P. pandora (Smith 1853). Pubescence, except tufts on S 4 and S 5, ommited. Scale = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 3. Seventh and eighth metasomal sterna (S 7 and S 8) of male: (a) P. graminea (Fabricius 1804); (b) P. callaina Almeida, sp. n.; (c) P. f l a m m u l a Almeida, sp. n.; (d) P. pandora (Smith 1853). Scale = 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 5. Integument of mesoscutum of female: (a) P. graminea (Fabricius 1804); (b) P. flammula Almeida, sp. n. Scale = 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 6. Fronto­lateral view of head of female: (a) P. graminea (Fabricius 1804); (b) P. flammula Almeida, sp. n. a. s. = antennal socket; m. o. = median ocellus. Scale = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 7. Six punctation patterns (a – f) observed on disc of T 1 of females of Pseudaugochlora spp.