Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes ( Cresson, 1878 )

Portman, Zachary M., Griswold, Terry & Pitts, James P., 2016, Association of the female of Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes (Cresson), and a replacement name for Perdita bohartorum Parker (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), Zootaxa 4097 (4), pp. 567-574 : 569-571

Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes ( Cresson, 1878)

( Fig. 1 )

Macrotera cephalotes Cresson, 1878: 71 , ♂. Holotype data: Nevada (ANSP).

Perdita cephalotes ; Cockerell, 1896: 78.

Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes ; Timberlake, 1954: 412.

Perdita (Procockerellia) excellens Timberlake, 1958: 384 , ♀. Holotype data: UT, Grand Co., Moab (CAS type no. 14513). New synonym.

Perdita (Cockerellia) autumnalis Timberlake, 1977: 281 , ♀. Holotype data: CA, Inyo County, Death Valley National Monument, 2.4 km SW of Wildrose Station (CAS type no. 12664). New synonym.

Diagnosis of male. Average body length: 5.1 mm (3.8–6.1 mm, n=32). The male can be easily recognized by its relatively large body size, bidentate hind tarsal claws, and distinctive yellow coloration over most of the body. The vertex is crossed by a more-or-less complete transverse brown or metallic blue band, the mesosoma is marked with metallic blue, and the metasoma is often marked with brown on the first tergum and has faded brown bands at the borders of the other terga. Individuals generally have large, quadrate heads. However, there is a large range of head sizes with a continuous gradation from small-headed males with oval heads ( Fig. 1 A) to the large-headed males with quadrate heads ( Fig. 1 B). Head width ranges from 1.2–2.2 mm and is linearly related to body size. Most males have intermediate-sized heads and cluster around the average of 1.7 mm head width. Genitalia and eighth sternum are illustrated in Timberlake (1954: Figs. 109, 110, and 170).

Diagnosis of female. Average body length: 6.2 mm (5.7–6.6 mm, n=10). The female can be recognized by its distinct pattern of facial markings and smooth, shining, and distinctly punctate vertex, frons, and scutum. Perdita cephalotes can be separated from many superficially similar Perdita by its broadly wavy scopal hairs (rather than straight or tightly corkscrew-shaped), the simple hind tarsal claws, and the broadly truncate pygidial plate. The extent of the light markings can be variable. The clypeus ranges from almost entirely white with dark marks limited to an upside-down U-shape to almost entirely dark with light edges and/or a median white stripe. The white tergal bands can be entire or narrowly interrupted, and the band on the fifth tergum can be present or absent.

Biology. Perdita cephalotes appears to limit its pollen gathering to flowers of rabbitbrush ( Ericameria and Chrysothamnus , Asteraceae , tribe Astereae ). The flight period of P. cephalotes is late season, in synchrony with its rabbitbrush pollen source. Specimens have been collected primarily from late August to October, with a couple records in early November.

Distribution. Perdita cephalotes is found in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. It is distributed throughout the eastern Mojave Desert and the southern Colorado Plateau of the arid southwestern United States ( Fig. 2 ). There is a single record from the Sonoran Desert, in San Diego County, California, collected on 5 November 1984; based on other bees collected by the same collector (K.W. Cooper) this record appears to be valid (D. Yanega, personal communication). The lack of other P. cephalotes records from this region may be due to a lack of collection effort that late in the season.

Floral records. Asteraceae (169 ♂ 726 ♀): Chrysothamnus depressus Nutt. 2 ♂ 3 ♀, Chrysothamnus linifolius Greene 15 ♂ 43 ♀, C. sp. 7 ♂ 30 ♀, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Hook.) Nutt. 11 ♂ 81 ♀, Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. Ex Pursh) G.L. Nesom & Baird 100 ♂ 388 ♀, Ericameria paniculata (A. Gray) Rydb. 33 ♂ 175 ♀, Ericameria parryi (A. Gray) G.L. Nesom & Baird 5 ♀, Gutierrezia microcephala (DC.) A. Gray 1 ♂, Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby 1 ♀, Cleomaceae (1 ♀): Cleome lutea Hook. 1 ♀, Polygonaceae (1 ♂): Eriogonum racemosum Nutt. 1 ♂.

Note: Due to the relatively recent taxonomic transfer of some common Chrysothamnus to Ericameria ( Nesom & Baird, 1993) often long after original floral associations were made, specimens associated with Chrysothamnus sp. (i.e. floral records on Chrysothamnus that are lacking a specific epithet) may have actually been caught on Ericameria .

Type material examined. Macrotera cephalotes holotype data: Nevada, H. Edwards ( ANSP). Perdita excellens holotype data: UT, Grand Co., Moab, 16 September 1943, G.F. Knowlton ( CAS type no. 14513). Perdita autumnalis holotype data: CA, Inyo County, Death Valley National Monument, 2.4 km (1.5 miles) SW of Wildrose Station, 6 November 1968, P.H. Arnaud, Jr., on Chrysothamnus paniculatus [= Ericameria paniculata ] ( CAS type no. 12664).

Additional material examined. ARIZONA: Coconino County: The Gap (36.3033 -111.4489): 1 ♀, 25 Sep 1960, G.E. Bohart, Cl. lutea . CALIFORNIA: Inyo County: Darwin Falls (36.32077 -117.52451): 3 ♂ 3 ♀, 10 Oct 1976, T.L. Griswold; Grapevine Ranger Station (36.99 -117.36): 1 ♀, 21 Oct 1978, T.L. Griswold, C. sp.; Keeler, 10 mi SE (36.36106 -117.78434): 2 ♀, 23 Sep 1987, T.L. Griswold; Swansea, 2 km NW (36.53634 -117.92015): 50 ♂ 260 ♀, 19 Sep 1993, T.L. Griswold, E. nauseosa ; Titus Canyon, Death Valley NP (36.8463 -117.059): 1 ♂, 22 Oct 2001, T.L. Griswold, E. nauseosa ; San Bernardino County: Lanfair Valley (35.127 -115.1828): 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 19 Sep 1994, T.L. Griswold, E. nauseosa ; Lanfair Valley (35.1422 -115.2953): 2 ♀, 11 Sep 1994, T.L. Griswold, E. nauseosa ; Shadow Valley (35.44319 -115.67215): 1 ♂ 3 ♀, 20 Sep 1994, T.L. Griswold; Valley Wells (35.4585 - 115.6903): 11 ♂ 16 ♀, 24 Sep 1987, T.L. Griswold; Watson Wash (34.91416 -115.20248): 2 ♀, 19 Sep 1994, T.L. Griswold; 4 ♀, 20 Sep 1994, T.L. Griswold; San Diego County: Canebrake (32.9036 -116.2489): 1 ♂, 5 Nov 1984, K.W. Cooper. NEVADA: Clark County: Black Butte, 2.6 mi SE (36.4744 -114.1602): 3 ♀, 6 Oct 2004, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Cow Spr., 6.06 mi ENE (35.6034 -114.9178): 2 ♀, 10 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Cow Spr., 6.33 mi NE (35.6359 -114.9399): 7 ♂ 49 ♀, 10 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Cow Spr., 6.82 mi NNE (35.6545 -114.9555): 13 ♂ 38 ♀, 10 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Elephant Rock, 1.61 mi WSW (36.4251 -114.4892): 3 ♂ 18 ♀, 12 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Gale Hills, 3.37 mi SW (36.1903 -114.7355): 1 ♀, 12 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Goodsprings, SE (35.8242 -115.4182): 1 ♂, 8 Oct 1998, T.L. Griswold, G. microcephala ; Juniper Mine, 8.58 mi NW (35.3132 -114.8747): 1 ♀, 11 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Piute Rng [Range], 5.84 mi NE (35.2731 -114.9163): 6 ♀, 11 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Piute Rng [Range], 6.99 mi NE (35.2754 -114.8972): 10 ♂ 48 ♀, 11 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Red Rock Spr., 2.82 mi ENE (36.4756 -114.1637): 9 ♀, 13 Oct 2005, T.L. Griswold, E. paniculata ; Yucca Gap (36.4443 -115.2692): 2 ♂ 4 ♀, 7 Oct 1998, T.L. Griswold; Yucca Gap (36.4467 -115.2555): 2 ♂ 20 ♀, 7 Oct 1998, T.L. Griswold, E. nauseosa . UTAH: Garfield County: Horse Pasture, 3.9 mi S (37.6447 - 111.0702): 6 ♂ 13 ♀, 11 Sep 2001, R. Andrus, E. nauseosa ; 2 ♂, 11 Sep 2002, L. Topham, C. depressus ; 3 ♀, 11 Sep 2002, L. Wilson, C. depressus ; 1 ♂ 3 ♀, 13 Sep 2000, A. Worley, E. nauseosa ; 8 ♂ 4 ♀, 13 Sep 2000, M. Sunseri, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♀, 13 Sep 2000, M. Sunseri, G. sarothrae ; 3 ♂ 5 ♀, 22 Sep 2003, A. Johansen, C. sp.; 2 ♂ 4 ♀, 22 Sep 2003, S.M. Higbee, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♀, 27 Sep 2000, A. Worley, E. nauseosa ; 5 ♂ 8 ♀, 27 Sep 2002, B. Bradley, C. linifolius ; 1 ♂ 3 ♀, 27 Sep 2002, O.J. Messinger, C. linifolius ; 2 ♀, 29 Aug 2001, K. Moredock, C. sp.; 1 ♀, 4 Oct 2000, A. Worley, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♂ 3 ♀, 4 Oct 2000, S. Jenkins, E. nauseosa ; 2 ♂, 4 Sep 2000, A. Worley, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♂ 9 ♀, 4 Sep 2000, O.J. Messinger, E. nauseosa ; 2 ♂ 2 ♀, 8 Sep 2003, A. Johansen, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♂ 2 ♀, 8 Sep 2003, S.M. Higbee, E. nauseosa ; Twentyfive Mile Wash (37.5596 -111.3048): 1 ♀, 18 Sep 2003, A. Johansen, E. nauseosa ; White Point, 2.3 mi NNW (37.537 -111.322): 1 ♂, 17 Sep 2001, R. Andrus, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♀, 5 Sep 2001, V. Bourguignon, C. linifolius ; White Point, 3.4 mi NNW (37.5608 -111.3236): 1 ♀, 29 Sep 2000, M. Sunseri, E. nauseosa ; Kane County: Cottonwood Spr., 1.3 mi NNE (37.2609 -112.3246): 1 ♀, 20 Sep 2000, A. Worley, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 20 Sep 2000, M. Sunseri, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♂ 6 ♀, 4 Oct 2000, M. Sunseri, E. nauseosa ; 11 ♀, 4 Oct 2000, O.J. Messinger, E. nauseosa ; Dance Hall Rock, 1.82 mi NW (37.3811 - 111.1126): 8 ♀, 20 Sep 2001, R. Andrus, E. nauseosa ; 2 ♂ 3 ♀, 21 Sep 2000, A. Worley, E. nauseosa ; 1 ♀, 21 Sep 2000, S. Jenkins, E. nauseosa ; 7 ♀, 26 Sep 2002, L. Wilson, C. viscidiflorus ; 6 ♀, 26 Sep 2002, O.J. Messinger, C. linifolius ; 6 ♂ 3 ♀, 4 Oct 2000, M. Sunseri, E. nauseosa ; 2 ♂ 6 ♀, 4 Oct 2000, O.J. Messinger, E. nauseosa ; Dry Fork, N (37.441 -111.2307): 6 ♀, 10 Oct 2002, B. Bradley, C. viscidiflorus ; 1 ♀, 10 Oct 2002, H. Ikerd, C. viscidiflorus ; 4 ♂ 8 ♀, 26 Sep 2002, B. Bradley, C. linifolius ; 1 ♀, 30 Sep 2003, J. Tolliver, E. nauseosa ; Dry Fork, near Spooky Gulch (37.4829 -111.2044): 1 ♀, 26 Sep 2000, A. Worley, E. nauseosa ; Lick Wash, 1.13 mi W mouth (37.3553 -112.1995): 1 ♂, 10 Sep 2003, A. Johansen, Er. racemosum ; Nipple Spr., 1.0 mi E (37.189 -111.5368): 3 ♂, 1 Oct 2002, L. Topham, C. linifolius ; 3 ♀, 1 Oct 2002, L. Wilson, C. linifolius ; 1 ♂ 6 ♀, 9 Oct 2002, O.J. Messinger, C. sp.; Rock House Cave, 0.57 mi W (37.1774 -111.9151): 1 ♀, 25 Sep 2003, A. Johansen, E. parryi ; 4 ♀, 25 Sep 2003, O.J. Messinger, E. parryi ; Stony Point, 2.27 mi SE (37.23465 -111.5252): 1 ♀, 25 Sep 2002, A. Johansen, E. nauseosa ; 2 ♂ 5 ♀, 25 Sep 2003, A. Johansen, E. nauseosa ; 7 ♂ 13 ♀, 25 Sep 2003, O.J. Messinger, E. nauseosa ; Tibbet Canyon (37.1606 -111.5392): 2 ♂, 1 Oct 2002, L. Topham, C. linifolius ; 1 ♂, 1 Oct 2002, L. Topham, C. viscidiflorus ; 14 ♀, 1 Oct 2002, L. Wilson, C. linifolius ; 3 ♂ 15 ♀, 8 Oct 2002, O.J. Messinger, C. sp.; Tibbet Canyon (37.1945 -111.5984): 1 ♂, 25 Sep 2002, A. Johansen, C. viscidiflorus ; 1 ♀, 25 Sep 2002, O.J. Messinger; 1 ♀, 25 Sep 2002, O.J. Messinger, C. viscidiflorus ; 2 ♂, 25 Sep 2003, A. Johansen; 3 ♂ 23 ♀, 25 Sep 2003, A. Johansen, C. viscidiflorus ; 6 ♂ 43 ♀, 25 Sep 2003, O.J. Messinger, C. viscidiflorus ; Wayne County: Capitol Reef National Park (38.15 -111.1667): 1 ♀, 21 Sep 1985, W.P. Nye, C. sp.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Perdita cephalotes (Cresson). (A) Small-headed male face. Scale bar = 250 Μm. (B) Large-headed male face. Scale bar = 250 Μm. (C) Female face. Scale bar = 250 Μm. (D) Male maxillary palpi, showing minute fifth palp. Maxillary palpi are similar in both sexes. Scale bar = 100 Μm. (E) Male side view. Scale bar = 1 mm. (F) Female metasoma. Scale bar = 250 Μm. (G) Female lateral view. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 2. Distribution of P. cephalotes (circles) and P. boharti (triangles). Scale bar = 200 km.