Anthophora (Micranthophora) abroniae Timberlake, 1937

Orr, Michael C., Pitts, James P. & Griswold, Terry, 2018, Revision of the bee group Anthophora (Micranthophora) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), with notes on potential conservation concerns and a molecular phylogeny of the genus, Zootaxa 4511 (1), pp. 1-193 : 20-22

Anthophora (Micranthophora) abroniae Timberlake, 1937

( Figs. 33D , 34 C–D, 39A, 44A, 49A, 54A, 59A, 64A, 69A, 74A)

Anthophora abroniae Timberlake, 1937: 7 (holotype: ♂; Palm Springs, CA, USA; coll. Timberlake, 9 Apr. 1932, at Abronia villosa ; AMNH, accession 35042).

Diagnosis. This species is immediately identifiable in both sexes by the extremely elongate, slender galea ( Fig. 33D ). The galea extends far past the foretrochanter in repose, usually about equal to or exceeding the hindtrochanter, a character otherwise unseen in the A. ( Micranthophora ). Males may be otherwise determined by the following character combination: galea strongly tessellate, dull; labral rim rounded; mandible with inferior tooth absent ( Fig. 49A ); vertex and scutal pubescence all white; and T7 with medial longitudinal carina and medial projections sharp ( Fig. 59A ). Females may be otherwise determined by the following character combination: galea strongly tessellate, dull, with mop-like setae ( Fig. 33D ); clypeal maculation creamy or off-white, roughly triangular with concave sides rising to meet each other near dorsal margin, maculated area almost entirely impunctate and shiny ( Fig. 39A ); vertex and scutum clothed in white setae; terga covered in white appressed setae; and anal fimbria dark brown to black.

Male description. Head: Facial maculations creamy white, often slightly green. Galea reaching back past midtrochanter in repose; medium to dark brown; strongly to moderately tessellate, with weak reflections. Mandible with inferior tooth absent, area merely slightly thickened; maculated from base to about one-third from mandible apex ( Figs. 33D , 49A ). Labral rim rounded; fully maculated. Clypeal maculation a highly variable apicomedial splotch, never reaching lateral sides or top ( Fig. 49A ); punctation nearly absent where maculated. Paraocular area immaculate. Supraclypeal area immaculate. Scape immaculate. Mesosoma: Scutum shiny; with distinct impunctate areas. Tegula transparent, clear to tan. Basitibial plate absent. Metasoma: T1–T5 covered with appressed setae, sometimes absent along base; T6 with less appressed setae overall. Terga smooth between punctures, with strong reflections; apparent through appressed setae. Tergal rims transparent, clear to tan. Male T7 ( Fig. 59A ) with strong medial longitudinal carina; lateral projections absent; medial projections triangular, of moderate length and sharp. Male S5 ( Figs. 38A, 38C ) setal arrangement unremarkable, without large, distinctive patches, at most longer along rim. Male S6 ( Fig. 38A ) clearly medially emarginate. Male S7 ( Fig. 64A ) with setae nearly fully banding S7 around midpoint of length, sparser medially; parallel-sided from midpoint to pointed lateral tips; apical half rectangular overall, rim roughly flat. Male S8 ( Fig. 69A ) lateral projections nearly absent; medial projection narrowing to tip, apically emarginate. Male genital capsule ( Fig. 74A ) with outer corners, where gonocoxite tips curve inward, marked by distinct and sharp ventral point, best seen in profile; from corner to apex, in profile, gonocoxite with obvious secondary flange or angle; tip, in profile, rounded and weakly curved ventrally; gonostylus tip position slightly exceeding that of gonocoxite, measured from above along primary axis of latter. Pubescence: See Fig. 54A . Appears light to medium gray overall. Setae white, except as follows: leg inner faces light orange, tergal basal zones dark if present.

Female similar to male, except: Head: Galea with long, mop-like setae throughout ( Fig. 33D ). Mandible with inferior tooth ridge-like, at most slightly angled off main blade, usually parallel ( Fig. 39A ). Clypeal maculation roughly triangular with sunken sides, not reaching lateral sides, usually reaching top or nearly so ( Fig. 39A ). Supraclypeal mark rarely present; slight dot if present. Mesosoma: Midtibial spur apically pointed; tan to orange. Basitibial plate somewhat flattened and only moderately rounded distally, otherwise teardropped overall. Metasoma: T1–T4 covered in appressed setae; T5 with extensive appressed setae. T4 impunctate rim of short to moderate length medially, only very broadly and vaguely triangular if ever. Anal fimbria mound-like to triangular, covering third of T5 length medially. Pubescence: See Fig. 44A . Scutum uncommonly with slight dark intermixing; hindbasitarsal brush medium to dark brown; anal fimbria medium brown to blackish.

Distribution. See Fig. 6 . Present in USA: California, Arizona, Nevada, possibly southern Utah; Mexico: Baja California Norte, possibly northern Sonora. Found most commonly in Californian Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. Ecoregional habitance is as follows, based on 317 specimen records: 4 ecoregions total: Sonoran Desert (239=75.2%), Mojave Desert (67=21.1%), California coastal sage and chaparral (10=3.1%), Great Basin shrub steppe (1≤1%).

Phenology. Recorded March–June, October–November, primarily spring, most common in April. Fall records likely resulting from unseasonally intense precipitation. Univoltine (typically).

Nesting biology. Unknown, potentially uses sand, given that floral host is psammophytic.

Floral specialization. Reported as a specialist on Abronia (Nyctaginaceae) ( Moldenke & Neff 1974). Almost certainly true, almost exclusively visits Abronia , the distribution of this bee fits within that of A. villosa , and its elongate galea is clearly adapted for use in the long, slender corollas of the host ( Fig. 33d ). Within Abronia , only known specifically from A. villosa . Primary recorded visits by 89 females include: Family Nyctaginaceae (88%); Genus Abronia (88%); Species Abronia villosa (78%). 174 total floral records from eight families include: Asteraceae (3 ♂ 2 ♀): Baileya sp. 1 ♂, Bebbia juncea 1 ♂, Chaenactis fremontii 1 ♀, Palafoxia arida 1 ♂, Pluchea sericea 1 ♀, Boraginaceae (5 ♂ 4 ♀): Heliotropium curassavicum 5 ♂ 4 ♀, Euphorbiaceae (1 ♂): Croton californicus 1 ♂, Fabaceae (2 ♂): Dalea sp. 1 ♂, Psorothamnus sp. 1 ♂, Nyctaginaceae (68 ♂ 78 ♀): Abronia sp. 11 ♂ 9 ♀, Abronia villosa 57 ♂ 69 ♀, Polemoniaceae (1 ♂ 1 ♀): Eriastrum sp. 1 ♀, Eriastrum virgatum 1 ♂, Verbenaceae (4 ♂ 3 ♀): Verbena sp. 4 ♂ 3 ♀, Zygophyllaceae (1 ♂ 1 ♀): Larrea sp. 1 ♂ 1 ♀.

Specimens examined: MEXICO: Baja California Norte: 25 mi W Mexicali: 2 ♂, date unknown, collector unknown; San Felipe (city of): 1 ♂, 27 Mar 1963, G.I. Stage; Valle de Trinidad, near La Zapopita: 1 ♀, 9–14 Apr 1961, F.S. Truxal; nr. La Zapopita, Valle de Trinidad : 3 ♂ 4 ♀, 9–14 Apr 1961, F.S. Truxal . USA: ARIZONA: La Paz County: Bouse, 15.33 air km NE; Dunes by Swansea Rd : 1 ♂, 4 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; Cibola National Wildlife Refuge ; MSQ1 : 1 ♀, 26 Apr 2013, M.C. Miner ; Maricopa County: Aztec, 10 mi E: 1 ♂ 1 ♂, 12 Apr 1955, Butler, Werner ; Buckeye : 5 ♂ 4 ♀, 29 Mar 1934, P.H. Timberlake; Mesa , 5 mi N: 1 ♀, 16 Apr 1964, A. R. Gittins; Phoenix: 1 ♀, 22 Apr 1958, G. Butler; 2 ♂, 22 Apr 1958, G.D. Butler; 1 ♀, 12 Apr 1962, L. Gardner ; Mohave County: Topock : 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 15 Mar 1972, P. Torchio, B. Apperson ; Pinal County: Florence, Gila River

Bed: 1 ♀, 16 Apr 1966, J.H. Davidson, J.M. Davidson, M.A. Cazier; Yuma County: Ligurta: 1 ♂, 15 Apr 1973, J.G. Rozen, K.C. Rozen; N end of Dome Valley, near Yuma: 1 ♂, 20 Apr 1973, J.G. Rozen, K.C. Rozen; Tacna, 5 mi E: 1 ♀, date unknown, collector unknown; Yuma: 1 ♂, 13 Apr 1955, G.D. Butler, Werner; 1 ♀, 13 May 1955, Tuttle; 3 ♀, 31 May 1955, G. Butler; 1 ♂, 31 May 1955, G.D. Butler; 1 ♀, 1 Jun 1955, G. Butler; 1 ♀, date unknown, collector unknown; Yuma, 15 mi E: 1 ♂, 1 May 1972, P. Torchio, F.D. Parker, G. Bohart; Yuma, 21 mi N: 1 ♂, 4 Apr 1963, F.D. Parker; CALIFORNIA: Imperial County: 17 miles NW Glamis, Kipf Road, Algodones Dunes: 1 ♂, 5–6 Apr 2000, collector unknown; Algodones Dunes, 16.5 mi NW Glamis: 1 ♂ 5 ♂, 6 Apr 2000, R. Andrus; Evan Hewes Hwy., 22.5 mi E of Holtville: 1 ♂, 11 Apr 1963, R.C. Dickson; Mexicali, 20 mi W: 2 ♂, Apr 1939, C.D. Michener; Plaster City: 1 ♀, 12 Oct 1963, collector unknown; Westmorland: 1 ♂, 21 May 1932, collector unknown; 1 ♀, 21 May 1942, collector unknown; Inyo County: DEVA; Ashford Mills, 2.5 air km E; Abronia site: 3 ♂ 5 ♀, 1 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; 1 ♂ 2 ♀, 11 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; DEVA; Ashford Mills, 2.6 air km E; hwy 178, roadside: 1 ♀, 26 Apr 2013, M.C. Orr; Death Valley National Park, 3.5 km E Ashford Junction: 1 ♀, 7 May 2014, Z.M. Portman; Death Valley National Park; Jubilee Wash; BM W681, 0.6km NE: 1 ♂ 2 ♀, 13 Apr 2014, T.L. Griswold; Death Valley National Park; Jubilee Wash; BM X681, nr: 2 ♂ 1 ♀, 13 Apr 2014, T.L. Griswold; Eureka Valley, Big Pine Road: 1 ♂, 8 May 2000, J. Janjic, R. Andrus, T.L. Griswold; Kern County: Mojave, 21 mi E: 1 ♂, 6 May 1982, P. Torchio; Riverside County: 3 mi E Mecca, Box Canyon Road, 2.5 mi E of jct Painted Canyon Road, Mecca Hills: 1 ♀, 13 Apr 1963, R.R. Snelling; 3 mi E of Indio, Coachella Valley: 2 ♂ 3 ♀, 1 Apr 1964, E.I. Schlinger; 4 mi S Palm Springs: 1 ♂, 6 May 1946, P.H. Timberlake; 5 mi E Palm Springs: 1 ♀, 16 Mar 1963, R.R. Snelling; 5 mi NW of Indio: 1 ♀, 5 May 1963, R.R. Snelling; 6 mi S Palm Springs: 1 ♀, 9 Nov 1945, P.H. Timberlake; 4 ♀, 13 Nov 1945, P.H. Timberlake; 6 ♀, 14 Nov 1945, P.H. Timberlake; Andreas Canyon: 1 ♂, 7 Apr 1940, R.M. Bohart; Blythe, 18 mi W; northern entrance: 3 ♂, 3 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; Cathedral City: 1 ♀, 13 Nov 1945, P.H. Timberlake; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 15 Oct 1947, R.C. Dickson; 1 ♀, 29 Apr 1953, J.C. Hall; 1 ♀, 29 Apr 1963, R.L. Westcott; Edom, Coachella Valley: 1 ♀, 28 Mar 1936, P.H. Timberlake; 2 ♂, 7 Apr 1936, P.H. Timberlake; Indio: 1 ♀, 15 May 1939, collector unknown; 1 ♂, 5 Apr 1957, P.D. Hurd; Indio, 2 mi S: 2 ♂, 10 Apr 1936, collector unknown; Joshua Tree National Park; Barker Dam, 1.7 air km SE; Queen Valley: 1 ♂, 25 Mar 2016, M.C. Orr; Palm Desert: 1 ♂, 20 Mar 1984, R.R. Snelling; Palm Desert, 1 mi N: 1 ♂, 14 Oct 1957, P.H. Timberlake; Palm Springs: 1 ♂, 9 Apr 1932, P. Timberlake; 1 ♀, 10 Apr 1932, Timberlake; 1 ♂, 26 Mar 1937, T.E. Laningham; 1 ♂, 10 Apr 1952, Timberlake; 12 ♂ 10 ♀, 24 Jun 1952, L.D. Beamer; 1 ♂, 20 Nov 1952, A.L. Melander; Palm Springs, 6 mi N: 1 ♀, 13 Nov 1945, P. Timberlake; Palm Springs, 6 mi S: 1 ♀, 15 Mar 1935, Timberlake; 1 ♀, 14 May 1945, P.H. Timberlake; Palm Springs, Coachella Valley: 4 ♀, 9 Apr 1932, P.H. Timberlake; 3 ♀, 10 Apr 1932, P.H. Timberlake; 3 ♀, 24 Jun 1939, T.E. Laningham; 1 ♂, 6 May 1946, P.H. Timberlake; 18 ♂, 9 Apr 1952, P.H. Timberlake; 8 ♂, 10 Apr 1952, P.H. Timberlake; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 24 Jun 1952, P.H. Timberlake; Pleasant Valley Dry Lake, Joshua Tree National Park: 2 ♂, 14 Jun 1963, E.I. Schlinger; 2 ♂ 3 ♀, 14 Jun 1963, collector unknown; Pleasant Valley, Joshua Tree National Park: 1 ♀, 30 May 1965, collector unknown; 1 ♂, 14 Jun 1965, collector unknown; Rice, 3 mi SSW: 1 ♂ 14 ♀, 16 Apr 2013, M.C. Orr; Thousand Palms: 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 31 Mar 1963, F.D. Parker; 1 ♂, 31 Mar 1963, collector unknown; 1 ♀, 4 Apr 1964, R.M. Bohart; 1 ♀, 2 Apr 1966, D.R. Miller; Thousand Palms (= 1000 Palms), Coachella Valley: 1 ♂, 9 Mar 1940, R.M. Bohart; 1 ♂, 20 Mar 1970, D.P. Levin; Thousand Palms Canyon: 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 9 Apr 1964, collector unknown; Thousand Palms Canyon, 4 mi E Thousand Palms: 1 ♂, 9 Apr 1964, F.D. Parker; 3 ♀, 2 Apr 1966, R.O. Schuster; Thousand Palms Canyon, Coachella Valley: 1 ♂, 5 Apr 1966, J.C. Hall; San Bernardino County: Apple Valley: 1 ♂, 8 May 1958, P.D. Hurd; Baker to Kelso: 1 ♂, 22 Apr 1986, K.W. Cooper; Baker, 26.6 km SW; Cronese Lake, near exit: 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 10 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; Bitter Spring: 1 ♀, 30 Apr 1995, G. Pratt, G. Bruyea; Dumont Dunes: 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 11 May 1982, T.L. Griswold; Dumont Dunes HP, 3.66 km NW; Dumont Dunes Rd: 1 ♀, 10 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; 1 ♀, 11 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; Dumont Dunes HP, 6.2 air km WSW; hwy 127: 2 ♂ 3 ♀, 10 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; 1 ♀, 11 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; Dumont Dunes HP, 6.5 air mi SW: 1 ♂ 2 ♀, 10 Apr 2014, M.C. Orr; Essex: 1 ♂, 3 Apr 1968, R.C. Schuster; Johnson Valley: 1 ♀, 25 May 2009, collector unknown; 2 ♂, 30 May 2009, collector unknown; Joshua Tree National Park; Quail Spring Valley, sandy burm: 1 ♀, 25 Mar 2016, M.C. Orr; 1 ♀, 20 Apr 2016, M.C. Orr; Kelso: 1 ♂, 7 May 1977, N.J. Smith; 4 ♂, 7 May 1977, R.W. Brooks; Kelso Dunes: 1 ♂, 13 May 1978, T.L. Griswold; 2 ♂, 12 May 1982, T.L. Griswold; Kelso Dunes, mouth of Bull Canyon: 1 ♂, 4 May 2009, T.L. Griswold; San Diego County: : 2 ♂, 23 Apr 1936, C.F. Harbison; Anza Borrego Desert State Park: 2 ♂, 17–20 Apr 1969, collector unknown; 1 ♂, 28 Mar 1977, collector unknown; Borego: 1 ♂, 8 Apr 1939, R.M. Bohart; 1 ♂, 24 Apr 1949, J. Gillaspy; 1 ♂, 24 Apr 1949, J.E. Gillaspy; 1 ♀, 24 Apr 1949, L.W. Quate; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 27 Apr 1954, P.D. Hurd; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 29 Apr 1954, M. Wasbauer; 1 ♂, 30 Apr 1954, M. Wasbauer; 1 ♀, 24 Apr 1955, M. Wasbauer; 1 ♂, 25 Apr 1955, R.M. Bohart; 1 ♂, 27 Apr 1955, M. Wasbauer; Borrego Springs: 2 ♂, 17 Apr 1985, W.J. Pulawski; 1 ♂, 11 Apr 1986, W.J. Pulawski; Borrego State Park: 1 ♀, 29 Apr 1961, J.G. Rozen, R. Schrammel; Borrego Valley: 1 ♀, 18 Apr 1957, J.C. Hall; 1 ♂, 18 Apr 1957, collector unknown; 1 ♂, 2 Apr 1973, R.M. Bohart; Borrego Valley, dunes: 1 ♀, 18 Apr 1957, R.C. Bechtel; 1 ♀, 18 Apr 1957, R.M. Bohart; 1 ♀, 20 Apr 1957, R.C. Bechtel; Borrego [= Borego], Borrego Valley [= Borego Valley]: 1 ♂, 25 Mar 1933, H.L. McKenzie; 3 ♀, 26 Mar 1933, H.L. McKenzie; 2 ♂ 12 ♀, 26 Mar 1933, P.H. Timberlake; 1 ♂, 20 Apr 1954, P.H. Timberlake; 1 ♂, 29 Apr 1954, P.H. Timberlake; 1 ♀, 30 Apr 1954, P.H. Timberlake; 2 ♂ 3 ♀, 27 Apr 1955, P.H. Timberlake; Coyote Canyon, Collins Valley, Anza Borrego Desert State Park: 1 ♂, 6 Apr 1964, M.E. Irwin; Coyote Creek, Borrego Valley: 1 ♂, 5 Apr 1963, F.D. Parker; NEVADA: Clark County : Glendale: 1 ♀, 13 May 1961, collector unknown; Searchlight, 33 mi N: 1 ♂, 26 Apr 1966, R.W. Rust, P.F. Torchio, N. Youssef.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Distribution of Anthophora abroniae. Generated with 317 specimen records from 92 locations.

FIGURE 33. Female galea setae. Scale=0.5 mm. A) Typical, negligible at most, usually absent (A. curta, KWC0014764). B) Long, curved toward tip (A. caudata, BBSLID99042). C) Long, apically bent (A. erythrothorax, UCRCENT335468). D) Long, mop-like (A. abroniae, BBSL920101).

FIGURE 34. Mandible, inferior tooth. Scale=0.5 mm. A) Triangular, tip clearly angled (A. albata female, BBSL510289). B) Ovular, tip and general form rounded (A. estebana male, BBSL276281). C) Ridge-like, concave above, often projecting off main blade at tip (A. abroniae female, BBSL502235). D) Absent (A. abroniae male, BBSL502217).

FIGURE 38. Male sterna, S5 setae density and S6 rim form. Scale=0.5 mm. A) S5 with sparse setae; S6 medially emarginate, at least vaguely triangularly, evenly so (A. estebana, 72476). B) S5 setae density high, appearing tufted; S6 medially emarginate, at least vaguely triangularly, but at least slightly filled medially, sometimes tufted (A. maculifrons, 82068). C) S5 with sparse setae; S6 entire or nearly so, with transparent square of integument (A. petrophila, BBSL655748). D) S5 setae density high; S6 entire, medially knobbed (A. flavocincta, BBSL504065).

FIGURE 39. Female face of A) Anthophora abroniae (BBSL920115), B) A. albata (10234), C) A. caudata (BBSLID99019), D) A. chihuahua (BBSL502616), E) A. cockerelli (BBSL502283), F) A. columbariae (BBSL853114). Scale=0.5 mm.

FIGURE 44. Female habitus of A) Anthophora abroniae (BBSL920116), B) A. albata (BBSL513478), C) A. caudata (BBSL506712), D) A. chihuahua (BBSL502616), E) A. cockerelli (BBSL502289), F) A. columbariae (KWC0014759). Scale=1 mm.

FIGURE 49. Male face of A) Anthophora abroniae (BBSL502212), B) A. albata (BBSL504186), C) A. caudata (BBSLID98988), D) A. chihuahua (BBSL502617), E) A. cockerelli (BBSL502260), F) A. columbariae (BBSL853110). Scale=0.5 mm.

FIGURE 54. Male habitus of A) Anthophora abroniae (BBSL502223), B) A. albata (10046), C) A. caudata (BBSLID92552), D) A. chihuahua (BBSL502617), E) A. cockerelli (72472), F) A. columbariae (BBSL853157). Scale=1 mm.

FIGURE 59. Male T7 of A) Anthophora abroniae (BBSL348460), B) A. albata (9988), C) A. caudata (BBSL506708), D) A. chihuahua (BBSL502618), E) A. cockerelli (BBSL502252), F) A. columbariae (FDP80368). Scale=0.25 mm.

FIGURE 64. Male S7 of A) Anthophora abroniae (BBSL502216), B) A. albata (BBSL843758), C) A. caudata (BBSL506707), D) A. chihuahua (BBSL502617), E) A. cockerelli (BBSL502279), F) A. columbariae (BBSL502330). Scale=0.25 mm.

FIGURE 69. Male S8 of A) Anthophora abroniae (BBSL502211), B) A. albata (BBSL843758), C) A. caudata (BBSL506707), D) A. chihuahua (BBSL502617), E) A. cockerelli (BBSL502279), F) A. columbariae (BBSL502330). Scale=0.25 mm.

FIGURE 74. Male genital capsule of A) Anthophora abroniae (BBSL502216), B) A. albata (BBSL843758), C) A. caudata (BBSL506707), D) A. chihuahua (BBSL502617), E) A. cockerelli (BBSL502263), F) A. columbariae (BBSL502332). Scale=0.25 mm.