Melipona, Illiger, 1806

Rozen, Jerome G., Jr., Quezada-Euán, J. Javier G., Roubik, David W. & Smith, Corey Shepard, 2019, Immature Stages of Selected Meliponine Bees (Apoidea: Apidae), American Museum Novitates 2019 (3924) : -

MELIPONA (MELIKERRIA) BEECHEII BENNETT

Figures 1, 2, 9–13

Because only a single, reasonably well-preserved egg was available, diagrams of it could not be modified to eliminate possible asymmetries resulting from preservation procedures, hence, the slight asymmetry in the dorsal view of the egg (fig. 1). Furthermore, it is uncertain whether the egg is symmetrical in lateral view (fig. 2), although the developing embryo within (dotted outline) clearly is not. That part of the embryo shown is the developing head, partly embedded in the swollen prothorax, with its labrum touching the chorion.

The eggs of the two species of Melipona described here (figs. 1–4) are larger and differently shaped than those of the other two meliponine species ( Scaptotrigona pectoralis and Tetragonisca angustula ) treated herein.

DIAGNOSIS: The larger size as well as the distinctive shape of the egg of this species and that of M. panamica , described below, distinguish them from those of the other two genera.

DESCRIPTION: Color white; chorion smooth and not lustrous under low magnification; clear chorion on one specimen with strongly expressed hexagonal surface pattern even when viewed without SEM. Shape, based on single specimen as diagrammed, elongate as seen in dorsal view (figs. 1, 9), greatest width at approximate midlength dorsal view; outline narrowing gradually from there