Thectochlora mixta, Gonçalves, Rodrigo B. & Melo, Gabriel A. R., 2006

Gonçalves, Rodrigo B. & Melo, Gabriel A. R., 2006, Revision of the bee genus Thectochlora Moure (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Halictinae), Zootaxa 1331, pp. 1-30 : 24-29

Thectochlora mixta new species

( Figures 6 , 19 , 28, 29 , 33 and 34)

Comments

In the phylogenetic analysis, this species is related to T. basiatra and T. hamata due to the modified pubescence of the male flagellomeres (character 0 4, Figs. 11–12 ). On the other hand, its elongated head superficially resembles T. brachycera . The two locality records, from Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, suggest a more restricted distribution than the other species (Fig. 33).

Diagnosis

In both sexes, head about as long as wide; fore leg trochanter without dorsal hook. In females pubescence on lower paraocular area sparser, punctures about 2–3 puncture diameter apart. In males, flagellomeres II to XI subequal in length and with short pubescence restricted to basal and apical one-third of the flagellomeres; S4 disc with a central patch of erect short setae and few lateral hairs.

Description

Male holotype. Measurements. Eye: 1.12; cl: 0.45; c-a: 0.35; c-o: 0.95; mhl: 1.77; oc: 0.33; mhw: 1.69; F4: 0.20; mml: 0.089; abl: 5.84. (1) Head. Longer than wide. Clypeus and supraclypeal area conspicuously convex, lateral portions of supraclypeal area with a more pronounced curvature than adjacent paraocular surface; setae on clypeus with short branches; interalveolar region with abundant fine, pale hairs. (2) Antennae. Flagellomeres II to XI subequal in length; on the anterior surface, the short pubescence restricted to basal and apical one-thirds of the flagellomeres, leaving small glabrous areas in the middle of each flagellomere. (3) Mesoscutum. Outline, in dorsal view, of lateral half of projecting anterior border almost straight; deep punctation covering entire mesoscutum. (4) Mesepisternum. Covered with very strong punctures, including the area below the scrobal suture. (5) Metapostnotum. Basal sulcus with many complete transverse carinae. (6) Propodeum. Covered with strong punctation. (7) Legs. Fore leg trochanter without dorsal hook, hook of mid leg trochanter short, about two-fifth trochanter width. (8) Metasoma. S4 with a loose patch of short erect setae, patch occupying a large portion of central disc (as in Fig. 19 ). (9) Genitalia. As in Figs. 28 and 29 . (10) Body color. Metallic green with labrum, mandibles, clypeal apex, tibiae and tarsi yellow.

FIGURES 29 –32. Distribution maps. 30, T. alaris . 31, T. basiatra . 32, T. brachycera . 33, T. hamata (open circles) and T. mixta (squares).

Female paratype (from Vila Velha, Paraná, Brazil). Measurements. Eye: 1.14; cl: 0.45; c-a: 0.41; c-o: 1.01; mhl: 1.77; c-e: 0.33; mhw: 1.77; mml: 0.108; abl: 6.64. (1) Head. As long as wide. Supraclypeal area conspicuously convex, its lateral portions with a more pronounced curvature than adjacent parocular surface; lower paraocular area with many decumbent and few erect hairs, the latter with very short branches, punctures about 2–3 puncture diameter apart. (2) Mesoscutum. Outline, in dorsal view, of lateral half of projecting anterior border almost straight, medial notch shallow. (3) Mesepisternum. Almost entirely finely rugulose and irregularly punctured. (4) Metapostnotum. Basal sulcus with some complete transverse carinae evident, its limits expanded posteriorly in the middle. (5) Propodeum. Punctation on dorso-lateral area very dense, punctures about one-third puncture diameter apart. (6) Legs. Fore leg trochanter without a dorsal hook, hook of mid leg trochanter short, about two-fifths trochanter width. (7) Metasoma. Punctures on marginal zone of T2 about 2–3 puncture diameters apart, denser on disc (about one puncture diameter apart). (8) Body color. Metallic green with brown legs.

Type material

Male holotype ( DZUP), “ DZUP \ 20837” “ VILA VELHA PR\ Brasil — 14-II-1965 \ Mitchell — Moure — Toro”. Paratypes. BRAZIL, Mato Grosso do Sul: 2 males ( AMNH), “ BRAZIL, Mato grosso:\ Itaum, Dourados\ March, 1974\ M. Alvarenga”. Paraná: 1 female ( AMNH), “ BRAZIL, Paraná:\ Vila Velha\ January 31, 1974 ” “J. G. Rozen\ F.C. Thompson\ J.S.Moure\ Collectors”; 1 female with same data except “20, 1974”; 1 female ( DZUP), “ DZUP \ 20824” “ PEVV \ 1843” “ Brasil, Paraná, Parque\ E stadual de Vila Velha,\ 25°14’S 49°59’W,\ 15.xi.2003, G.A.R Melo &\ R.B. Gonçalves”; 1 female ( DZUP), “ DZUP \ 20833” “ VILA VELHA — PR\ BRASIL 15-X-65 \ Mitchell & Laroca”.

Figures

FIGURES 5 – 6. Female head, frontal view. 5, T. hamata (paratype from Araranguá, Santa Catarina, Brazil). 6, T. mixta (paratype from Vila Velha, Paraná, Brazil). Figures at same scale. Scale bar: 1 mm.

FIGURES 15 – 19. Male S 4, ventral view. 15, T. alaris (from Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil). 16, T. basiatra (from Vila Velha, Paraná, Brazil). 17, T. brachycera (from São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil). 18, T. hamata (from Cotegipe, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). 19, T. mixta (from Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). All figures at same scale. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 26 – 29. Male genitalia. 26, T. hamata (from Cotegipe, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), ventral view. 27, Same, dorsal view. 28, T. mixta (from Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil), ventral view. 29, Same, dorsal view. All figures at same scale. Scale bars: 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 11 – 14. Male antenna. 11, T. basiatra (from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil). 12, same, F 7 detail. 13, T. alaris (from Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil). 14, same, F 7 detail. Figures 11, 13 and 12, 14, respectively, at same scale.