Engel, Engel & Herhold & Davis & Wang & Thomas, 2021

Engel, Michael S., Herhold, Hollister W., Davis, Steven R., Wang, Bo & Thomas, Jennifer C., 2021, Stingless bees in Miocene amber of southeastern China (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Journal of Melittology 2021 (105), pp. 1-83 : 68

Atrichotrigona Engel , new subgenus

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:D1D7622B-83E4-4065-8343-0A07AF388C52

TYPE SPECIES: Trigona cameroonensis Friese, 1900 .

DIAGNOSIS: The subgenus includes two distinctive species that lack the wispy lateral setae otherwise present on the basal area of the propodeum in typical Axestotrigona . In addition to being glabrous, the basal area of the propodeum is smooth and polished rather than finely tessellate to microalveoate in the nominate subgenus. The wing membranes are characteristically darkly infumate throughout rather than clear, somewhat ferruginous, or parchment colored as is found in the remaining species. Lastly, the species of this subgenus are slightly larger than those of the nominate group, with body lengths over 7 mm and forewings (including tegula over 7.8 mm, whereas the later are typically 5.0–6.5 mm with forewings (including tegula) 5.5–6.7 mm.

ETYMOLOGY: The new subgeneric name is a combination of the Greek alpha privativum, a – (ᾰ –, indicating negation or opposite), trikhós (τρῐΧός, meaning, “hairy”), and the generic name Trigona [tri – (τρῐ –, meaning, “three”) and gōnía (γωνία, meaning, “corner” or “angle”)]. The gender of the name is feminine.

INCLUDED SPECIES: Aside from the type species, the subgenus includes Axestotrigona simpsoni Moure .