Seladonia phryganica Pauly & Devalez

Pauly, Alain, Devalez, Jelle, Sonet, Gontran, Nagy, Zoltán Tamás & Boevé, Jean-Luc, 2015, DNA barcoding and male genital morphology reveal five new cryptic species in the West Palearctic bee Seladonia smaragdula (Vachal, 1895) (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae), Zootaxa 4034 (2), pp. 257-290 : 279-282

Seladonia phryganica Pauly & Devalez sp. nov.

( Figs 18–19 , 22 c,d, 24b)

Halictus smaragdulus Form E in Pauly & Rassel 1982: 144.

Diagnosis. Compared to S. smaragdula , the male of S. phryganica has a more reduced underplate of the gonocoxite, with its inner side being more concave ( Figs 18 , 22 c,d). Both species are geographically separated; S. smaragdula occurs in the West Mediterranean while S. phryganica in the East Mediterranean ( Figs. 9 , 19 ). The male of S. phryganica can be easily separated from the sympatric S. orientana by the very thin, small projection of the gonocoxite ( Figs 18 , 22 c,d, 24b). Such a small projection is short and thick in S. orientana ( Fig. 24 f). In Crete and Karpathos, the male of S. phryganica can be separated from that of S. cretella by its shorter fourth antennal segment (length/width ranges from 1.05 to 1.17 in S. phryganica and from 1.44 to 1.53 in S. cretella ). The males of S. gemmella and S. submediterranea can be differentiated by the more boomerang-shaped underplate of the large projection of the gonocoxite. They can be separated also by their geographic distribution, except in Greece and Turkey where S. submediterranea sp. nov. also occurs.

Females of S. phryganica cannot be distinguished from the other species of the S. smaragdula complex by morphological characters. Specimens collected on Aegean Islands belong to this species, except on Lesvos where S. phryganica is sympatric to S. orientana .

Description. Male and female as described for S. smaragdula except as follows: underplate of large projection of male gonocoxite subtriangular, inner side of plate concave ( Figs 18 , 22 c,d, 24b). Small projection of gonocoxite very thin, with few apical setae ( Fig. 24 b). Fourth antennal segment of the male short (length/width = 1.05–1.17).

Holotype. GREECE, Attiki, Dafni, 10 km W Athens, 1.VIII.1991, Malaise trap in phrygana, 1♂, leg. Th. Petanidou & G. Priebe ( RBINS).

Paratypes (75 males, 10 barcoded females). BULGARIA. Prov. Burgos, Mesemvria, 12.VIII.1956, 1♂, leg. W.J. Pulawski, col. M. Schwarz.—Melnik, 16–22. VI.1987, 1 ♂, leg. J. Halada ( OOLM).

GREECE. Attiki, Dafni, 10 km W Athens, Malaise trap in phrygana, 1.VIII.1991, 1♂, 5.VIII.1991, 1♂, 15.VII.1991, 1♂, 16.IX.1991, 2♂, 26.IX.1991, 1♂, 30.IX.1991, 1♂, 27.VII.1992, 1♂, leg. Th. Petanidou & G. Priebe ( RMNHL).—Portaria, Pelionpas, 39°23'N 23°02'E, 675–825m, 29–31. VII.1963, 1 ♂ ( RMNHL).—Lakonia, 5 km W Sparti, 26.IX.1962, 1♂ ( RMNHL).—Lakonia, 10 km W Sparti, 800–1000m, 28.IX.1962, 1♂ ( RMNHL).—Thessalia, Kalambaka, hillside meadow, 17–20. VII.1979, 1 ♂, leg. M.C. Day et al. ( BMNH).— Thessalia, Kastrack, 39°47'N 21°31'E, 320m, 13.VI.1988, 2♂, leg. Vogtenhb ( OOLM).—Thessalia, Kalambaka, hillside meadow, 14–20. VII.1979, 2 ♂, leg. M.C. Day, G.R. Else & D. Morgan ( BMNH).—Trikala, 12 km W Kalambaka, 13–14. VI.1988, 1 ♂, leg. J. Tiefenthaler ( OOLM).—Chalkidiki, Sithonia, Sikia, 23.VIII.1978, 3♂, leg. K. Warncke (col. M. Schwarz), 7.IX.1986, 1♂ ( OOLM).—Mykene, 24.VII.1971, 1♂, leg. M. Schwarz.— Peloponnese, Alt-Korinth, 1.VI.1984, leg. M. Schwarz.—Evros, Dadia, Lefkimmi, 41.0317N 26.1795E, 11– 13. VIII.2012, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n°036781), 1♂ ( UAEG n°045537), leg. P. Tsalkatis ( UAEG).– Evros, Dadia, 3 km NW of Kila, 40.9957N 26.1226E, 14–16. VII.2012, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n° 033070), 1♂ ( UAEG n°033959), 20–22. IX.2012, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n°045326), 21–23. IX.2012, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n°046348), 11–13. VIII.2012, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n°038958), 21– 23. VIII.2012, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n°046238), leg. P. Tsalkatis ( UAEG).—Crete, Iraklion 7 km W, 28.X.1972, 1♂, leg. A.C.

& W.N. Ellis ( RMNHL).—Crete, Levka Ori, Xyloscalo, 1200m, 26.VII.1980, Thymus sp., 1♂, leg. A.W. Ebmer.—Crete, Levka Ori, "Kallergi Hütte", 1400–1600m, 29.VII.1980, 1♂, leg. A.W. Ebmer.—Crete, Dikti Oros, Potamies, 200m, 2.VIII.1980, 2♂, leg. A.W. Ebmer.—Crete, Knossos, 23.VII.1980, 1♂, leg. A.W. Ebmer.—Crete, Iraklio Province, Heraklion, 35.3383N 25.1234E, 4.VIII.2013, Glebionis coronaria , 1♀ ( UAEG n° 081083), 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081084) 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081085) 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081086), leg. J. Devalez ( UAEG).—Crete, Koumas, Asprouliani, 30 km W. Rethymnon, 4.X.2003, 1♂, leg. E. Scheuchl (col. E. Scheuchl).—Crete, Kolimbari, 30 km W. Chania, 4.X.2001, 1♂, leg. E. Scheuchl (col. E. Scheuchl).—Crete, Maleme, 25 km W Chania, 5.X.2001, 1♂, leg. E. Scheuchl (col. E. Scheuchl).—Karpathos, Avlona, 35.7689N 27.1849E, 8.VI.2012, 1♂ ( UAEG n°033722), 1♂ ( UAEG n°033857), 1♂ ( UAEG n°033763), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Karpathos, Airport, 35.4309N 27.1502E, 7–9. VI.2012, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n° 021558), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Santorini, Ag. Fanourios Dune, 36.4781N 25.3995E, 8–10. V.2013, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n° 081765), 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081827), 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081832), 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081848), 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081854), 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081874), 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081875), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Santorini, Akrotiri-Faros, 36.3569N 25.3616E, 8–10. VI.2013, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n°085553), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Anafi, Vagia, 36.363N 25.7438E, 15–17. VI.2013, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n°083654), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Anafi, Helicodrome, 36.3565N 25.7736E, 15–17. VI.2013, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n° 082672), 1♂ ( UAEG n° 082723), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Anafi, Zoodohos Pigi, 36.3581N 25.8303E, 16.VI.2013, Foeniculum vulgare , 1♀ ( UAEG n°086459), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Naxos, Fragma, 37.132N 25.4398E, 16–18. VI.2012, 1 ♀ ( UAEG n° 030851), leg. I. Vavitsas ( UAEG).—Syros, Kambos, 37.4949N 24.9148E, 2–4. V.2013, 1 ♀ ( UAEG n° 093084), leg. I. Vavitsas ( UAEG).—Ios, Archaeological Site of Skarkos, 36.7315N 25.2836E, 10.VIII.2013, 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081256), leg. T. Petanidou.—Ios, Ag. Theodoti, 36.7538N 25.3252E, 15–17. V.2013, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n° 080193), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Ios, Kambos, 36.7518N 25.2921E, 16.V.2013, Opopanax hispidus , 1♂ ( UAEG n°087564), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Ios, Epano Kampos, 36.742N 25.2967E 20.VI.2013, Vitex agnus - castus, 1♂ ( UAEG n°095888), 1♂ ( UAEG n°095896), 1♂ ( UAEG n°095905), 1♀ ( UAEG n°095879), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Lesvos, Mytilene, 39.0843N 26.5687E, 3.X.2013, Dittrichia viscosa , 1♀ ( UAEG n° 092353), leg. J. Devalez ( UAEG).—Lesvos, Thermi, 39.1814N 26.4939E, 5.VIII.2012, Capparis spinosa , 1♂ ( UAEG n°0041450), leg. G. Nakas ( UAEG).—Chios, Ag. Georgios Sikousis, 38.3084N 26.039E, 25–27. VI.2013, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n° 071253), leg. G. Nakas ( UAEG).—Pieria, Litochoro, 40.1043N 22.4935E, 9.VIII.2013, Mentha sp., 1♂ ( UAEG n° 081057), leg. J. Devalez ( UAEG).—Lesvos, Sigri, 39.2274N 25.8584E, 26–29. V.2012, 1 ♂ ( UAEG n° 011055), leg. G. Nakas ( UAEG).—Sifnos, Ag. Anna, 36.9692N 24.7058E, 15.VI.2011, 1♀ ( UAEG n°095384), leg. E. Papas ( UAEG).—Thasos, Potos, 40.613N 24.6195E, 23.V.2012, Sedum sp., 1♀ ( UAEG n°043556), leg. M. de Courcy ( UAEG).—Kea, Poisses, 37.581N 24.281E, 27.VI.2013, Centaurea spinosa , 1♀ ( UAEG n°086766), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Iraklia, 2 km S of Livadi, 36.8289N 25.469E, 22.VI.2013, Thymbra capitata , 1♀ ( UAEG n°089871), leg. J. Gavalas ( UAEG).—Attiki, Daphni, 38.0099N 23.6451E, 26.VIII.2013, 1♀ ( UAEG n°089878), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).—Kyklad, Mykonos, 8.VI.1962, 1♂, leg. M. Schwarz.—Rhodos ("Rodi, Egeo"), V.1939, leg. Dr Meyer ( OOLM).

TURKEY. Denizli, 10 km NE Denizli, 37°58'N 29°07'E, 290m, 4.VII.2006, 1♂, leg. M. Halada ( OOLM).— Denizli, Isikli Golu, 22.VI.1998, 1♂, leg. J. Halada ( OOLM).—Burdur, 5 km NE Yesilova, 37°35'N 29°55'E, 1060m, 6.VII.2006, 1♂, leg. M. Kadlecova ( OOLM).—Adana, 30 km SE Catalan, 60m, 24.IX.1991, 1♂, leg. H.V. Oorschot & H. Wiering ( RMNHL).—Taurus, Gulek, 1♂, leg. J. Vachal ( MNHNP).—Mugla, Koycegiz, 37.0027N 28.7099E, 18.IX.2013, Drimia maritima , 1♀ ( UAEG n°089907), leg. T. Petanidou ( UAEG).— 10 km W. Alanya, Konaki, 36.58°N 31.89°E, 1.VIII.2009, 1♂, leg. & col. Schmid-Egger.—Icel, Mersin 3km N, 20.VI.1985, 1♂, leg. & col. M. Schwarz.—Mut, 10.VI.1965, 1♂, leg. & col. M. Schwarz, 19.V.1970, 1♂, leg. J. Gusenleitner ( OOLM).—Mut 10 km S, 8.VI.1966, 1♂, leg. H.H.F. Hamann ( OOLM).— 20 km W Mut, 14.VI.2000, 2♂, leg. M. Halada ( OOLM).—Gaziantep, 2 km N Fevzipasa, 600m, 28.IX.1991, 1♂, leg. H.V. Oorschot & H. Wiering ( RMNHL).—Gaziantep, 43 km WNW Kilis, Gozkaya, 600m, 29.IX.1991, 1♂, leg. H.V. Oorschot & H. Wiering ( RMNHL).

CYPRUS. Moni, 20–21. V.1952, 1 ♂, leg.G.A. Mavromoustakis ( BMNH).— 8 km S. Limassol, Akrotiri, near Airbase, 34.60°N 32.97°E, 20.VI.2013, 1♂, leg. & col. C. Schmid-Egger.— 8 km N. Pafos, Mavrokolympos Res., 34.85°N 32.40°E, 20.VI.2013, 1♂, leg. & col. C. Schmid-Egger.—Paphos, Kato, Paphos ancient site, 3.V.2003, 2♀, leg. E. Scheuchl ( ZSM HYM 06052 & HYM 06053).—Lemesos, Amathus, Ancient site, 15.IV.2002, 1♀, leg. E. Scheuchl ( ZSM HYM 06054).—Famagusta, 18.VIII.1998, 1♂, leg. Boness ( OOLM).

ISRAEL. Jerusalem, 13.VII, 1♂ ( MNHNP).—Bet Guvrim, 3.VI.2012, 2♂, 27.V–3. VI.2012, 9 ♀, leg. G.

Pisanty ( HUJ).—Judean Foothills, Beit Govrin, UTM 36R 679040 3500740, Heliotropium sp., 31.V.2010, 1♂, leg. G. Pisanty n°61688 ( HUJ).—Judean Foothills, Sha'alvim, UTM 36R 688530 3527290, 7.VI.2010, Citrullus lanatus , 1♂, leg. G. Pisanty n°62953 ( HUJ).—Central Coastal Plain, En Wered (= En Vered), 29.IV.2013, 1♂, leg. G. Pisanty ( HUJ).—Wadi Qilt, Ein-el-Fawwar, 19.V.1991, 3♂, leg. K. Warncke ( OOLM).

IRAN. Babolsar, "Kaspi See Niederung", 0m, 14.VII.1977, 1♂, leg. A.W. Ebmer.— Iran, Esfahan, Dehagan Astaneh, 4.VI.2013, leg. Khodarahmi ( YASU).—Mazdaran Prov., 10 km S. Chaloos, N 36.51° E 51.33°, 380m, 15.VI.2010, 1♂, leg. Mi Halada ( OOLM).

TAJIKISTAN. Dusambe, 40 km vych Javroc, 24.VI.1981, 1♂, leg. Kocourek ( OOLM).

UZBEKISTAN. Tasken (= Tashkent), 40 km Circik (= Tchirtchik, 41.46°N 69.58°E), 4.VII.1982, 3♂, leg. Kocourek, col. M. Schwarz.

Distribution. Eastern Mediterranean, from Greece to Israel, Iran, Tadjikistan and Uzbekistan ( Fig. 19 ).

Visited plants. The most visited plants by this species in the Greek islands are Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach, Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter ( Asteraceae ), Daucus carota L., Eryngium campestre L. ( Apiaceae ) and Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. ( Lamiaceae ).

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the phryganic habitat in which the species is common.

Figures

FIGURE 9. Geographic distribution of Seladonia smaragdula (males with genitalia form A and barcoded females).

FIGURE 18. Seladonia phryganica sp. nov., male (= form E) (Greece, Crete, Iraklio). Ventral view of the projections of the gonocoxites.

FIGURE 19. Geographic distribution of Seladonia phryganica sp. nov. (males with genitalia form E and barcoded females).

FIGURE 22. Comparison between the species of the clade " S. smaragdula + S. phryganica " in the S. smaragdula complex, showing ventral view of the large projection of the gonocoxites; first picture (a) reproduced from Pauly & Rassel (1982), other pictures by Pauly & Cillis; a, S. smaragdula (Croatia, Ugljan); b, S. smaragdula (France, Porquerolles); c, S. phryganica (Greece, Dafni); d, S. phryganica (Greece, Crete).

FIGURE 24. Contour of the small projection, in lateral view, of the male gonocoxite in the species of the Seladonia smaragdula complex; a, S. smaragdula (Spain, Almeria); b, S. phryganica sp. nov. (Greece, Anafi); c, S. gemmella sp. nov. (Spain, Almeria); d, S. cretella sp. nov. (Greece, Crete); e, S. submediterranea sp. nov. (France, Deux-Sèvres); f, S. orientana sp. nov. (Greece, Lesvos).