Cleptommation Engel, Brooks, & Yanega, 2013

Engel, Michael S., 2013, Revision of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Cleptommation (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Journal of Melittology 2013 (22), pp. 1-26 : 2-3

Genus Cleptommation Engel, Brooks, & Yanega , new status

Megommation (Cleptommation) Engel et al., 1997: 19 . Type species: Megalopta minuta Friese, 1926 , by original designation. Engel, 1998: 125; Engel, 2000: 43; Michener, 2000: 393; Michener, 2007: 409.

DIAGNOSIS (modified from Engel, 2000): ♀: Labral distal process broadly triangular; lateral teeth absent; labral basal elevation absent. Mandible simple, large, bladelike ( Figs. 2 , 12 , 32 , 35 , 45 ). Prementum greatly elongate, narrowed; galeal apex acute; galeal comb absent; galeal base extending to stipital base. Hypostomal ridge carinate, becoming weakly lamellate posteriorly, particularly at posterior angle; anterior angle rounded. Length of malar space less than basal mandibular width. Clypeal apex relatively straight (in Megaloptina and Megommation the clypeal apex is deeply concave, a putative synapomorphy uniting these groups and tentatively suggesting that Cleptommation may not be derived from within the former taxa). Epistomal sulcus orthogonal. Ventral apex of facial medial line forming small tubercle in basal part of supraclypeal area. Ocelli not greatly enlarged; ocellar furrow absent. Vertex not expanded or ridged posterior to ocelli. Preoccipital ridge rounded. Pronotal dorsal ridge rounded; lateral angle not produced, obtuse; lateral ridge rounded. Mesoscutal anterior border rounded; mesoscutal lip rounded. Tegula oval (not notched). Probasitarsal brush absent; metatibial scopa absent ( Figs. 2 , 43 ); metabasitibial plate absent; inner metatibial spur serrate. Forewing marginal cell with acute apex; hind wing distal hamuli with irregular pattern of spacing.

♂: Labrum without distal process; basal area not notched. Mandible simple. Ventral apex of facial medial line forming small tubercle in basal part of supraclypeal area. Antenna extending back to mesoscutellum or metanotum; first flagellomere as long as second flagellomere. Inner metatibial spur serrate. Dense patch of plumose setae surrounding propodeal spiracle. Metasoma slightly elongate; apical margins of metasomal sterna II–III with slight median projection, that of sternum III more prominent than sternum II; apical margins sterna IV–V unmodified; apical margin of sternum VI emarginate; apical margins of sternum VII–VIII with median process; proctiger with anal filaments. Gonobasal bridge narrow; dorsal lobes strong; basal process of gonostylus absent; parapenial lobe present; dorsal process of gonostylus partially membranous; prong present on ventral surface of penis valve.

INCLUDED SPECIES: Aside from the type species, C. minutum , three additional species are recognized herein: C. bulivyense n. sp., C. tupaqi n. sp., and C. chibchani n. sp.

DISTRIBUTION: Presently, individuals of the various species are recorded from Costa Rica and Panama in Central America, from Andean Ecuador and Bolivia, across Amazonian Peru and Brazil, and in French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname along the Guiana Shield. With further collecting it is assured that specimens, and perhaps even further species, will be found in at least Colombia, Andean Peru, and Venezuela.

BIOLOGY: As alluded to above, no biological information exists for this small group of cleptoparasitic bees. Presumed hosts are among Megaloptina , which occur in the same areas as species of Cleptommation . It would be revealing to discover not only the hosts, but the mode of parasitism and immature stages. As nothing really is known about the biology of Megaloptina , such an investigation would be fruitful beyond that of the just the cleptoparasites.

Figures

Figure 2. Habitus illustration of female of Cleptommation bulivyense, new species, from Bolivia (scale bar = 1 mm).

Figures 10–12. Photomicrographs of female of Cleptommation bulivyense, new species, from Bolivia. 10. Lateral habitus. 11. Dorsal habitus. 12. Facial view.

Figures 30–32. Photomicrographs of female of Cleptommation minutum (Friese), new combination, from Suriname. 30. Lateral habitus. 31. Dorsal habitus. 32. Facial view.

Figures 33–35. Photomicrographs of female of Cleptommation minutum (Friese), new combination, from Amazonian Basin of Peru. 33. Lateral habitus. 34. Dorsal habitus. 35. Facial view.

Figures 43–45. Photomicrographs of female of Cleptommation chibchani, new species, from Panama. 43. Lateral habitus. 44. Dorsal habitus. 45. Facial view.