Chlerogella, Michener, 1954

Engel, Michael, 2010, Revision of the Bee Genus Chlerogella (Hymenoptera, Halictidae), Part II: South American Species and Generic Diagnosis, ZooKeys 47 (47), pp. 1-100 : 92-97

Key to South American species of Chlerogella

Females remain unknown for C. hauseri , C. nasus , C. xuthopleura , C. picketti , C. cooperella , C. octogesima , C. silvula , and C. cyranoi , and males for C. borysthenis , C. breviceps , C. dolichorhina , C. euprepia , C. rostrata , C. tychoi , C. vachali , and C. mourella . Chlerogella buyssoni from Perú is of uncertain status and requires either rediscovery of the holotype or new material. Currently understood countries of distribution are summarized in the couplets but are not meant as identifying “traits”.

Naturally, some difficulties among the species remain and my temporary solution for the complex of metallic blue species in Perú and Ecuador is less than satisfactory. The challenges of small sample sizes from only a relatively few localities has rendered this a noticeable problem in the genus, and after considerable time it is apparent that sufficient material will not be forthcoming any time soon. While males from these areas can be readily distinguished on the basis of metasomal sterna and genitalia, the differences among females are much more subtle and I would have preferred to rely on more clearly diagnostic traits. Using the same standards and minor traits that appear to segregate the females of C. azurea , C. materdonnae , and C. agaylei across other females of this complex from the region necessitated the creation of two additional species, C. dolichorhina and C. rostrata . These all may be valid species and as more material amasses, particularly males, there eventually may be found features which more accurately diagnose those circumscribed herein. Alternatively, one or two may require synonymy. Thus, the current composition of species should be considered with caution and hopefully at some point in the future sufficiently large sample sizes of males and females from numerous localities across both countries will provide someone the opportunity to more carefully resolve the matter.

1 Females ...................................................................................................... 2

– Males....................................................................................................... 19

2(1) Malar space about as long as or shorter than basal width of mandible (malar space less than 1.5 times basal mandibular width), rarely absent, with lower tangent of compound eye abutting base of mandible ................................. 3

– Malar space much longer (malar space at least 1.75 times longer than basal mandibular width, frequently much more) than basal mandibular width... 9

3(2) Malar space present, with at least some noticeable portion of integument separating lower tangent of compound eye and mandibular base (malar space 0.4–1.5 times basal mandibular width) ...................................................... 4

– Malar space effectively absent, lower tangent of compound eye abutting mandibular base (malar space less than 0.25 times basal mandibular width) (Figs. 19–20) ( Perú)........................................................ C. arhyncha sp. n.

4(3) Malar space distinctly shorter than basal mandibular width (0.4–0.75 times basal mandibular width) (e.g., Figs 25–26, 75–76, 78–79) ........................ 5

– Malar space about as long as basal mandibular width (0.9–1.5 times basal mandibular width) (e.g., Figs 63–64, 93–94)............................................. 7

5(4) Head and mesoscutum shining, brilliant metallic blue (e.g., Figs 24–26, 77– 79); wings hyaline...................................................................................... 6

– Head and mesoscutum dull, dark metallic greyish blue-green or greenish blue (Figs 74–76); wings infumate ( Ecuador) ...................... C. borysthenis sp. n.

6(5) Metasoma dark brown without amber or light brown markings; anterior margin of second submarginal cell as long as or slightly longer than anterior margin of third submarginal cell; malar space about three-quarters basal mandibular width (Figs 78–79); mesoscutum with punctures separated by a puncture width or less; larger species, total length about 7.2 mm ( Ecuador).................. ......................................................................................... C. breviceps sp. n.

– Metasoma dark brown with amber brown spot centrally on anterior-facing surface of first metasomal tergum and tergal margins translucent light brown (Fig. 24); anterior margin of second submarginal cell three-quarters length or less than anterior margin of third submarginal cell; malar space slightly less than one-half basal mandibular width (Figs 25–26); mesoscutum with punctures separated by one or more times a puncture width; smaller species, total length about 6.4 mm ( Perú)....................................... C. vachali sp. n.

7(4) Head and mesosoma not black, brilliant metallic blue or green (e.g., Figs. 62– 64, 99–101)............................................................................................... 8

– Head and mesosoma black, without metallic coloration (Figs 92–94) ( Ecuador)................................................................................. C. mourella Engel

8(7) Metasoma dark brown to black (Fig. 62); head and mesosoma bright metallic blue, with some faint purple highlights (Figs 62–64) ( Ecuador)................... ...................................................................................... C. eumorpha sp. n.

– Metasoma, at least T1–T3, amber (Fig. 99); head and mesosoma metallic green (Figs 99–101), with faint to strong opalescence on mesoscutum when viewed from some angles (Figs 102–103) ( Ecuador) ............. C. elysia sp. n.

9(2) Metasoma with at least T1–T2 largely or entirely amber and other terga variable, but frequently with some brown coloration; scopal setae golden yellow; metatibia without fuscous setae; head and mesosoma frequently brilliant metallic green, copper-green, or copper-red, rarely dark brown with weak metallic copper green highlights ....................................................................... 10

– Metasoma entirely dark brown to black; scopal setae largely white, becoming fuscous in some areas; metatibia with distinct coarse black setae at apex and frequently along length; head and mesosoma brilliant metallic blue or dark blue (sometimes with metallic purple highlights), or dark brown with strong metallic blue or blue-purple highlights..................................................... 14

10(9) Hypostomal ridge carinate along entire length ......................................... 11

– Hypostomal ridge carinate posteriorly, becoming distinctly raised and lamellate anteriorly (Figs 109–110) ( Ecuador, Colombia)...... C. hypermeces sp. n.

11(10) Mesoscutellum and metanotum concolorous with remainder of mesosoma .... 12

– Mesoscutellum and metanotum largely amber (Fig. 98), contrasting with metallic coloration of remainder of mesosoma ( Ecuador)....... C. euprepia sp. n.

12(11) Head and mesosoma brilliant metallic green; metasoma entirely amber ... 13

– Head and mesosoma dark brown with weak metallic copper-green highlights (Figs 27–29); metasoma largely dark brown except amber brown on anterior segments ..................................................................... C. nasus (Enderlein)

13(12) Malar space about two times basal mandibular width (Figs 120–121); inner metatibial spur with five branches; procoxa amber ( Colombia)....... C. terpsichore sp. n.

– Malar space slightly more than four times basal mandibular width (Fig. 133); inner metatibial spur with eight branches; procoxa brilliant metallic green ( Colombia) .......................................................................... C. tychoi sp. n.

14(9) Malar space about 2–2.5 times basal mandibular width ........................... 15

– Malar space about 2.9–3.9 times basal mandibular width ........................ 16

15(14) Color more dull, muted caerulean blue over a dark brown integument (Figs. 2–4); mesoscutum with punctures separated by a puncture width or less laterally; 2rs-m gently arched; typically a slightly larger species, total length 8.9–9.5 mm ( Bolivia)................................ C. cochabambensis sp. n.

– Caerulean blue coloration generally more distinct (Figs 141–143); mesoscutum with punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width laterally; 2rs-m relatively straight; typically a slightly smaller species, total length 8.1–8.8 mm ( Venezuela) ....................................................................... C. oresbios sp. n.

16(14) Mesepisternum smooth to imbricate, frequently shiny, with minute weak punctures (largely at setal bases) of varying densities ................................ 17

– Mesepisternum strongly and coarsely imbricate, relatively dull, with coarse shallow punctures separated by 1.5–4 times a puncture width ( Ecuador) ..... ................................................................................. C. dolichorhina sp. n.

17(16) Mesepisternum smooth to imbricate, punctures of relatively equivalent density (sometimes slightly more close spaced ventrally but never as dramatically so as in alternate half of couplet) in both upper and lower portions of mesepisternum ( Ecuador) ........................................................................ 18

– Mesepisternum finely imbricate with punctures widely spaced in upper half, separated by 2–5 times a puncture width, blending to noticeably more dense posteriorly and ventrally, separated by 0.5–2 times a puncture width ( Perú)... ........................................................................................... C. rostrata sp. n.

18(17) Head and mesosoma more bright azurite blue in color, frequently with strong metallic purple highlights (Figs 33–35, 48–50); mesepisternum smooth and shining to faintly imbricate ( Perú, Ecuador)...... C. agaylei sp. n., C. azurea (Enderlein)

– Head and mesosoma, particularly pleura, more bright cerulean blue in color (Figs 55–57); mesepisternum imbricate with punctures separated by 2–4 times a puncture width ( Ecuador)............................. C. materdonnae sp. n.

19(1) Malar space less than 1.75 times basal mandibular width (frequently shorter) (e.g., Figs 22–23, 66–67, 81–82, 85–86, 105–106, 127–128) ................. 20

– Malar space two or more times longer (frequently longer) than basal mandibular width (e.g., Figs 6–7, 10–11, 37–38, 52–53, 59–60, 112–113, 123– 124, 130–131, 145–146, 151–152)......................................................... 26

20(19) Malar space 0.9–1.75 times basal mandibular width (e.g., Figs 66–67, 81– 82, 85–86, 105–106, 127–128)............................................................... 21

– Malar space linear, almost absent, much shorter than basal mandibular width, less than 0.25 times basal mandibular width (Figs 22–23) ( Perú)................. ....................................................................................... C. arhyncha sp. n.

21(20) Male metabasitarsus without elongate spine at inner base ........................ 22

– Male metabasitarsus with elongate spine at inner base and orthogonal to length of metabasitarsus (Fig. 83) ( Ecuador) .................. C. cooperella sp. n.

22(21) Metasoma dark brown, without large amber markings; legs dark brown .... 23

– Metasoma entirely amber or with extensive amber areas on basal terga; legs amber ...................................................................................................... 24

23(22) Integument of head and mesosoma brilliant metallic blue (Figs 65–67); elongate setae ventrally along length of metafemur; pronotum somewhat swollen, dorsal expansion about one median ocellar diameters in length; genitalia as in figures 72–73 ( Ecuador) ............................................ C. eumorpha sp. n.

– Integument of head and mesosoma brilliant metallic green (Figs 126–128); elongate setae ventrally confined to basal third of metafemur; pronotum weakly depressed medially, only weakly expanded; genitalia as in figures 137–138 ( Colombia) ......................................................... C. picketti sp. n.

24(22) Head and mesoscutum without opalescence; malar space less than 1.5 times basal mandibular width............................................................................ 25

– Head and mesoscutum with faint to strong opalescence; malar space slightly more than 1.5 times basal mandibular width ( Ecuador)........ C. elysia sp. n.

25(24) Apical setae on SIII–IV diffuse, not developed into distinct fringes; diffuse apicolateral setae on SV distinctly and greatly elongate; ventral fringe of setae on ventral gonostylar process elongate, not thickened (Fig. 91); penis valves dorsoapically with distinctly elongate setae ( Ecuador) ......... C. silvula sp. n.

– Apical setae on SIII–IV forming dense fringes; diffuse, elongate apicolateral setae on SV absent; ventral fringe of setae on ventral gonostylar process decreasing in length to very short apically, such setae distinctly thickened and hooked apically; penis valves without elongate setae dorsoapically ( Ecuador) .............. .................................................................... C. octogesima (Brooks & Engel)

26(19) Metasoma entirely amber or with extensive amber on at least basal metasomal terga......................................................................................................... 27

– Metasoma brown to dark brown, without extensive amber markings on first two metasomal terga ................................................................................ 30

27(26) Mesoscutellum not bigibbous or only weakly so....................................... 28

– Mesoscutellum distinctly bigibbous (Fig. 153) ( Venezuela) .......................... .................................................................................. C. xuthopleura sp. n.

28(27) Malar space more than five times as long as basal mandibular width (Figs. 10– 11, 112–113); first flagellomere about as long as pedicel; second flagellomere about two times longer than first flagellomere; SIV without elongate apicolateral projections; large species, total length 10.8–11.7 mm ....................... 29

– Malar space about two times as long as basal mandibular width (Figs 123– 124); first flagellomere longer than pedicel, nearly twice as long; second flagellomere three or more times longer than first flagellomere; SIV with elongate apicolateral projections (Fig. 125); medium-sized species, total length 8.5–8.7 mm ( Colombia).............................................. C. terpsichore sp. n.

29(28) Apical half of clypeus and apicalmost portion of malar space amber, remain- der metallic copper to copper-green (Figs 112–113); pterostigma amber yellow in color; SIV as in figure 114; majority of head and mesosoma metallic copper green (Figs 111–113); malar space over six times basal mandibular width ( Ecuador, Colombia) ......................................... C. hypermeces sp. n.

– Entirety of clypeus and larger portion of malar space yellow (Figs 10–11); pterostigma brown in color; SIV as in figure 13; majority of head and mesosoma dark metallic green, with entirety of clypeus and majority of malar space yellow (Figs 9–11); malar space 5.6–5.7 times basal mandibular width ( Bolivia)............................................................................. C. hauseri sp. n.

30(26) Head and mesosoma dark metallic blue or dark brown to black with metallic blue highlights (e.g., Figs 5–7, 144–146) ................................................. 31

– Head and mesosoma brilliant metallic blue frequently with strong purple highlights or appearing almost entirely purple (e.g., Figs 37–38, 52–53, 59– 60, 130–131)........................................................................................... 32

31(30) Metasomal SIV as in figure 8; head more dark brown to black, with weaker blue highlights (Figs 5–7); malar space more than four times basal mandibular width ( Bolivia)................................................ C. cochabambensis sp. n.

– Metasomal SIV as in figure 149; head more noticeably blue (Figs 144–146); malar space slightly less than three times basal mandibular width ( Venezuela) ..................................................................................... C. oresbios sp. n.

32(30) Mesoscutellum not bigibbous, gently convex ........................................... 33

– Mesoscutellum bigibbous, with two low paramedial tubercles ( Ecuador) ..... ................................................................................. C. materdonnae sp. n.

33(32) Metasomal SIV unmodified ..................................................................... 34

– Metasomal SIV as in figure 54 ( Ecuador)............................ C. agaylei sp. n.

34(33) Malar space more than 4.5 times basal mandibular width; clypeal apex dark brown (Fig. 131) ( Colombia)............................................. C. cyranoi sp. n.

– Malar space slightly less than four times basal mandibular width; clypeal apex white (Fig. 37) ( Perú, Ecuador)................................. C. azurea (Enderlein)