Amegilla ( Glossamegilla ) floresiana Carion & Wood, 2025

Carion, Frédéric, Gérard, Maxence, Ghisbain, Guillaume & Wood, Thomas J., 2025, Unravelling Amegilla (Glossamegilla) diversity across the Wallace Line: new species, wing morphometrics, and biogeographic boundaries (Hymenoptera, Apidae), ZooKeys 1256, pp. 1-79 : 1-79

Amegilla ( Glossamegilla) floresiana Carion & Wood sp. nov.

Figs 5 , 6

Type material.

Holotype: Indonesia • ♀; West Flores, Rana Mese ; 1300 m a. s. l.; Apr. 1958; A. M. R. Wegner leg.; RMNH, RMNH.INS.1713957 . Paratypes: Indonesia • 5 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂; same collection data as for holotype; RMNH, RMNH.INS.1713958 to RMNH.INS.1713965 • 1 ♀; Ruteng ; 1200 m a. s. l.; 17 Feb. 1961; J. M. A. v. Groenendael leg.; RMNH, ZMA.INS.5187867 .

Diagnosis.

Male: The male of A. floresiana sp. nov. is a species with contrasting pale hair bands on the metasoma (sometimes a little obscured by the surrounding pale pilosity) and the tergal discs usually partially covered by black pilosity. This produces an effect of hair bands that are poorly defined but clearly present. This species differs from the group of A. jacobi / A. sumatrana by the wider and more ochraceous to fulvous hair bands, the tergal discs being less covered by black pilosity than in these comparison species. Amegilla floresiana sp. nov. can be differentiated from the group of A. feronia and A. cyrtandrae by the larger size (~ 18 mm for A. floresiana sp. nov. while A. feronia and A. cyrtandrae are ~ 15–17 mm) and a more protuberant clypeus which in profile view equals or exceeds the width of the compound eye (while the clypeus is less protuberant in A. feronia and A. cyrtandrae , with a protuberance smaller than the width of the compound eye); the pale pubescence of mesosoma and metasoma also varies from ochraceous to fulvous for A. floresiana sp. nov. (while it varies from fulvous to bright orange for A. feronia and A. cyrtandrae ). Finally, this species differs from A. gigas and the dark form of A. vigilans by the labrum slightly wider than long (in the two comparison species with the labrum as wide as long), a fine (not coarse) punctation of the clypeus with large interspaces of at least the diameter of a puncture (while the two comparison species have a coarse and not very sparse punctation with rather smaller interspaces of at most the diameter of a puncture but generally less), wider and very poorly defined hair bands with a small parts of the tergal discs with black hairs or no black hairs at all as well as, sometimes, a brighter pilosity (from ochraceous to bright orange-fulvous) (while A. gigas and the dark form of A. vigilans have narrower and more sharply defined hair bands with a larger black haired area on the discs that is always present as well as a less bright pilosity (from ochraceous to very slightly orange )).

Female: As for the male, the female of A. floresiana sp. nov. is a species with contrasting pale hair bands on the metasoma (sometimes a little obscured by the surrounding pale pilosity) and the tergal discs partially covered by black pilosity. This produces an effect of hair bands that are poorly defined but clearly present. This species differs from the group of A. jacobi / A. sumatrana by the wider and more colourful hair bands, the tergal discs being less covered by black pilosity than in these species. Amegilla floresiana sp. nov. can be differentiated from the group of A. feronia , A. cyrtandrae and A. suzanneae Carion & Wood , sp. nov. by the larger body size (~ 17–18 mm for A. floresiana sp. nov. while A. feronia , A. cyrtandrae and A. suzanneae sp. nov. are ~ 13–16 mm) and a more protuberant clypeus which in profile view equals or exceeds the width of the compound eye (while the clypeus is less protuberant in A. feronia and A. cyrtandrae , with a protuberance smaller than the width of the compound eye). Amegilla floresiana sp. nov. differs from A. gigas by a sharper and more protruding clypeal carina that thus does not appear flat (while in A. gigas the clypeal carina is very flat, not sharp at all, and does not protrude very much or not at all), more extended and ivory-yellow to yellow clypeal marks and entirely punctuate paraocular areas (while A. gigas have less extended and yellowish, tending to dark yellow, pale clypeal marks, the face is mainly dark; A. gigas have restricted ivory-white spots on the paraocular areas as well as a clear shining area between the punctation of the paraocular areas and the transition with the clypeus). Finally, A. floresiana sp. nov. can be distinguished from the dark form of A. vigilans by rather poorly defined hair bands at the apex of the terga that are wider than for A. vigilans with pale pilosity covering the majority of the discs of the terga and almost the entirety of T 4 (while A. vigilans have rather sharply defined and narrower hair bands with the discs of the terga more covered by black pubescence), the pale clypeal marks less extended and ivory-yellow to yellow (while A. vigilans have more extended yellow-orange pale clypeal marks), a finer punctation of the clypeus with larger interspaces approximately the diameter of the punctures ( A. vigilans have a clypeus with a coarser, less defined punctation with smaller interspaces of generally ≤ 1 / 2 the diameter of a puncture), paraocular areas of the same colour than the clypeal marks but the colouration is less extended than in A. vigilans ( A. vigilans also has the paraocular areas of the same colour than the clypeal marks but the colouration is more extended) and a pubescence usually brighter, more fulvous to orange but can sometimes also be ochraceous, similarly to A. vigilans which have a pubescence ochraceous to slightly fulvous.

Description.

Male: Length of 15.5–16 mm. Interalar width of ~ 3.3–3.8 mm (shorter distance between the base of the tegulae).

Head: Labrum rectangular, slightly wider than long (17: 16–19: 18, 1.7 × 1.6 mm – 1.9 × 1.8 mm, thus sometimes hardly visible, can be considered square without measurements) with two slightly protruding brown areas at the base, remaining labrum entirely yellow except for the black transverse carina at the apex of the labrum and a brownish to black narrow bands at the base. Labrum entirely, evenly, and densely punctate with interspaces of generally ≤ 1 / 2 the size of a puncture but sometimes more. Labrum entirely covered by not very dense but very pale ochraceous pubescence approximately as long as the diameter of an ocellus. Mandibles bidentate, both teeth blunt, not strongly sharp, the secondary tooth sometimes less developed but still visible. Mandibles ivory-yellow on the basal 1 / 2 and deep brown on the apical 1 / 2. Clypeal marks variable, clypeus either more yellow than dark or more dark than yellow but the two subrectangular black clypeal marks always present. The pale clypeal marks on the clypeus are compound of a yellow inverted T-shape that is more extended on the area between the paraocular area and the labrum. Clypeus entirely, finely, and relatively densely punctate with interspaces generally of approximately the diameter of a puncture. Clypeal carina slightly protruding but not very much, rather sharp and impunctate) vertical bar of the yellow T). Clypeus entirely, evenly, and sparsely covered by a mixture of ochraceous and black pubescence with a length of at least the diameter of an ocellus. Paraocular areas slightly protruding and yellow. Paraocular areas evenly and relatively densely punctate with interspaces of at most the diameter of a puncture, presence of an impunctate area on the side of the area, near the margin with the clypeus (area of the protrusion) but separated from this margin by some punctures. Clypeus not strongly protuberant, in lateral view protuberance of the apical margin of the clypeus of approximately the diameter of the eye (sometimes less). Scape anteriorly yellow and posteriorly black except a narrow orange band at the apex of the scape (sometimes restricted to a small paler area or even absent). Scape entirely covered by an ochraceous to slightly fulvous pubescence approximately as long as the width of the scape and that is denser on the sides. A 2 basally black and apically reddish. Anterior surface of A 3 basally black (2 / 3) and apically reddish (1 / 3), posterior surface black. A 4-12 paler on the anterior surface (reddish or brownish) and black posteriorly, sometimes the difference of colouration is not well marked to absent. A 3-12 entirely and evenly covered by very small, hardly visible, white pilosity. A 2 sparsely covered on the sides by ochraceous-fulvous or black pubescence that is longer than the pubescence of the next articles. A 3 longer than wide, approximately as long as 4 + 5. A 4 shorter than wide. A 5-12 square (as long as wide) or slightly rectangular (slightly longer than wide). A 13 not cylindrical, obliquely truncated at the apex. Frons to gena black (except a yellow triangle or band at the margin of the frons) and rather not evenly covered by an ochraceous to fulvous pubescence of various length that is denser near the apical insertions but not very dense in general. Some long black hairs intermixed in the pale pubescence near the ocelli. Presence of a relatively deep depression that goes from the middle ocellus to the pale mark of the frons, width slightly more than the diameter of a surrounding puncture, the carina hardly showing trough the pubescence. Genae with very long ochraceous hairs.

Mesosoma: Mesosoma entirely covered by ochraceous to fulvous pubescence, with some to many black hairs intermixed in the pilosity of the dorsum. Scutum and scutellum finely and closely but not entirely punctate with interspaces generally ≤ 1 / 2 the diameter of a puncture. Centre of the scutum with a wide impunctate area with only a few punctures in it. Centre of the scutellum with a sharp carina that goes from the base to ~ 2 / 3 of the scutellum, base of the carina surrounded by a small impunctate area. Cuticle of the mesosoma deep black under the pilosity. Tegulae hyaline deep brown, sparsely and shallowly punctate with interspaces of at least one diameter of a puncture. Tegulae relatively densely and entirely or partially covered by ochraceous to fulvous pubescence. Wings relatively sparsely covered by dark hairs on the veins and inside the cells with a denser pilosity on the veins (most parts of the cells covered by pubescence). Apex of the wings covered with very sparse and dark brown protuberances that are not similar to the hairs. Wings translucent but slightly yellow. Cuticle of the legs dark brown to black. All legs exteriorly covered by an ochraceous to fulvous pubescence and interiorly covered with a slightly darker to black pubescence, generally the hind basitarsi exteriorly have a mix of pale and dark hairs (proportions of both variable). Tarsal claws of all the legs bidentate with subapical tooth located medially. Tarsal claws very sharp, the secondary claws are very long, 2 / 3 the length of the main one, sometimes as long. Main claws arched, without any tubercles on its ventral surface. Arolium between claws absent. Apex of mid tibia with one long and thick deep brown spine which is crenulate on two sides; the spine is slightly curved at the apex. Apex of hind tibia with two long and thick deep brown spines which are crenulate on both sides; spines slightly curved at the apex.

Metasoma: At least the sides of T 1 covered by long ochraceous to fulvous pubescence, sometimes also the centre, which are slightly denser on the apical margin, forming a not very contrasting hair band. Disc of T 2-4 basally covered by black pubescence, the remainder covered by ochraceous to fulvous pubescence, forming a wide and contrasting (but poorly defined) hair band or T 2-4 entirely covered by the pale pubescence that is denser apically, forming a contrasting hair band (sometimes a mix of the two depending on the tergum). T 5 entirely covered by pale pubescence. T 6 entirely covered by black pubescence. T 1-5 entirely, evenly, and sparsely punctate with shallow punctation and interspaces of at least the diameter of one puncture. T 6 entirely and evenly punctate but with a deeper and denser punctation with interspaces of less than the diameter of a puncture. T 7 (pygidial plate) with two spine-like structures widely separated by a flat (non-curved) area. T 1-5 with a black integument on the disc, sometimes the apical margins are dark brown. T 6-7 with a brown to dark brown integument. S 5-7 banded with ochraceous pubescence, sometimes S 1-4 also banded with the same type of pubescence. Integument of all sterna generally brown to dark brown, sometimes with an ochraceous apical margin, sometimes all terga with a black to slightly brownish integument. S 1-2 mainly impunctate with only some small areas with very close and shallow punctation on the centre of the sterna. Sides of S 3 densely and shallowly punctate with interspaces of approximately the diameter of a puncture while the centre and the apical margin is very sparsely punctate with only a few punctures. Sides and apical margin of the S 4 densely and shallowly punctate with interspaces of approximately the diameter of a puncture while the centre and the apical margin is very sparsely punctate with only a few punctures. S 5-7 entirely, densely, and shallowly punctate with interspaces of approximately the diameter of a puncture. S 8 with some very small yellow hairs on the base, spine of the spiculum rounded and not curved (Fig. 6 G, H ). Gonocoxae mainly glabrous with only a few sparse white hairs. Intern face of the apex of gonocoxae with a curved depression, the apex rounded. Genitalia dark brown to black at the base of the valves, orangish to yellow elsewhere (Fig. 6 G ).

Female: Length of 16–17.5 mm. Interalar width of ~ 3.8–4.3 mm (shorter distance between the base of the tegulae).

Head: Labrum square, as wide as long (1: 1, 1.9 × 1.9 mm – 2 × 2 mm), with two slightly protruding deep brown to black areas at the base (sometimes paler on the centre), remainder of the labrum yellow (generally darkened) except for the black transverse carina at the apex preceded by a brownish area variable in length but not taking the all width of the labrum as well as a narrow black band at the base that can vary in width. Labrum entirely, evenly, and densely punctate with interspaces generally approximately or less than the diameter of a puncture (the pale colouration of the labrum makes it sometimes hard to see), sometimes the interspaces are wider ( one specimen of the type series with wider interspaces). Labrum entirely covered by relatively dense fulvous pubescence, the setae are approximately or slightly longer than the diameter of an ocellus. Mandibles generally bidentate (sometimes not, on one specimen of the type series) and blunt (rounded appearance), ivory-yellow to yellow on the basal 1 / 2 and deep brown on the apical 1 / 2, ending in black at the apex (sometimes only the basal 1 / 3 pale and the remainder dark). Clypeus mainly black to slightly reddish with dark clypeal marks compound of two large sub-rectangular areas, the pale clypeal marks on the clypeus are resumed to a yellow inverted T-shape that is more extended on the area between the paraocular area and the labrum. The total surface of the pale clypeal marks varies a lot, sometimes not very extended but still present. Clypeus entirely, slightly coarsely and densely punctate with interspaces of at most the diameter of a puncture. Clypeal carina reduced, not on all the length of the clypeus, and only slightly protruding, rather blunt and impunctate. Clypeus entirely, evenly, and relatively densely covered by a fulvous pubescence of variable length. Paraocular slightly protruding and yellow only on the apical 1 / 2, near the clypeus. Paraocular areas evenly, entirely, and densely punctate with interspaces of ~ 1 / 2 the diameter of a puncture (sometimes difficult to see on the pale part due to the colouration. Clypeus not strongly protuberant, in lateral view protuberance of the apical margin of the clypeus less than the diameter of the eye. Scape black except on the apex of the anterior face that is slightly reddish. Scape anteriorly with a carina on the apical 1 / 2 to apical 1 / 3 of the scape. Sides of the scape covered by fulvous pubescence approximately as long as the width of the scape, less dense to absent on the anterior and posterior surface. A 2 black at the base and more reddish at the apex. A 3-12 slightly reddish to deep brown anteriorly and black posteriorly. Sometimes apex of A 3-4 with a narrow, ivory-white line. A 3-12 entirely and evenly covered by very small, hardly visible, white pilosity. A 2 anteriorly and apically with a small tuft of very small (but larger than the pilosity on the other articles) black hairs, hairs sometimes ochraceous to fulvous. A 3 longer than wide, equal to slightly longer than 4 + 5 + 6. A 4-5 shorter than wide. A 6-11 squared, approximately as long as wide. A 12 not cylindrical, obliquely truncated at the apex. Frons to gena black (except an ivory-yellow to yellow-orange triangle, both shape and surface of triangle variable) and rather evenly covered by an ochraceous to fulvous pubescence of various length that is denser near the antennal insertions. Many long black hairs intermixed in the pale pubescence near the ocelli. Presence of a relatively shallow depression that goes from the middle ocellus to the pale mark of the frons, width of ~ 1 / 2 the diameter of a surrounding puncture, the depression hardly showing trough the pubescence. Genae with very long white to pale ochraceous hairs.

Mesosoma: Mesosoma entirely covered by an ochraceous to fulvous pubescence, with many black hairs intermixed in the pilosity of the dorsum. Scutum and scutellum entirely, finely, and closely punctate with interspaces generally ≤ 1 / 2 the diameter of a puncture. Presence of a depression, the width less or approximately the diameter of a surrounding puncture, on the centre of the scutum that does not go to the end of the scutum. Scutum with two small carinae, one on each side of the scutum, near the tegulae. Centre of the scutellum with a rather sharp carina that goes from the base to ~ 2 / 3 of the scutellum, base of the carina not surrounded by a small impunctate area but the punctation is less dense. Cuticle of the mesosoma deep black under the pilosity. Tegulae hyaline brown to hyaline deep brown, sparsely and shallowly punctate with interspaces of at least one diameter of a puncture. Tegulae sparsely and entirely covered by fulvous pubescence with sometimes some black hairs intermixed. Wings relatively sparsely covered by dark hairs on the veins and inside the cells with a denser pilosity on the veins (most parts of the cells covered by pubescence), some veins at the apex and at the base glabrous. Apex of the wings covered with very sparse and dark brown protuberances that are not similar to the hairs. Wings translucent but slightly yellow. Cuticle of the legs dark, dark brown to black but never orange. All legs exteriorly covered by an ochraceous to fulvous pubescence and interiorly covered with a slightly darker to black pubescence except on the exterior surface of the hind tibia that is covered by a mix of dark and pale pubescence. Tarsal claws of all the tarsi bidentate with the second tooth situated on the middle of the main claw. Tarsal claws very sharp but small, ~ 1 / 3 the length of the main one (sometimes 1 / 2 the length of the main one). Apex of mid tibia with one long and thick deep brown spine which is crenulate on two sides; the spine is curved at the apex. Apex of hind tibia with two long thick black spines which are crenulate on both sides; spines curved at the apex.

Metasoma: Disc of T 1 entirely covered by long ochraceous to fulvous pubescence that is denser on the side and more sparsely distributed on the centre of the tergum, apical margin covered by denser and shorter pubescence of the same colour forming a slightly contrasting hair band. Discs of T 2-3 at least basally and centrally covered by black pubescence while the remaining discs (sides) and the apical margin are covered by ochraceous to fulvous short pubescence that is denser apically, forming a contrasting but poorly defined hair band. T 4-5 (sometimes also T 3) entirely covered by ochraceous to fulvous pubescence, T 5 with black hairs intermixed (on the discs generally but also sometimes a black hair band is present). T 1-5 entirely, evenly, and sparsely punctate with shallow punctation and interspaces of at least the diameter of one puncture, apex of apical margin impunctate. Integument of the terga mainly black but the apical margin sometimes slightly paler, brown (hardly visible through the pubescence) it is therefore probable that the apical margins were originally pale in fresh specimen (similarly to A. pendleburyi and A. feronia ) but the integument decoloured with the time. Sterna 1–6 with hair band that are denser from S 1 to S 6, all hairs ochraceous except on S 6 where the hairs are darker, black (sometimes other hair bands also darker). Integument dark brown to black for all the sterna except S 1-4 that are sometimes paler, more deep brown. Apical margin of sterna sometimes paler (ochraceous to brown). S 1-3 with very sparse punctation with interspaces of more than the diameter of a puncture and wide impunctate areas. Apical margin and sides of S 4 densely, entirely, and evenly punctuate with interspaces of at most the diameter of a puncture, sternal disc with sparser punctation (interspaces more than the diameter of a puncture). S 5-7 densely, entirely, and evenly punctuate with interspaces of at most the diameter of a puncture.

Remarks.

As the description of the male is based on three specimens, workers should consider that intraspecific variation could occur for this species, especially for some characteristics like the clypeal marks and the colouration, or even the morphology of the mandibles. The description of the female is more precise for this species as seven specimens were studied but further intraspecific variation could exist.

One specimen from the island of Sumbawa (not considered to be part of the type series, hosted in RMNH) morphologically differs from the typic series of A. floresiana sp. nov. This specimen was previously labelled as A. feronia . However, this specimen does not correspond exactly to either A. feronia or A. floresiana sp. nov. Due to the more probable biogeography and some common morphological traits, this species was regarded as A. aff. floresiana sp. nov. but cannot currently be considered as a true A. floresiana sp. nov. because of the morphological and biogeographic differences. This specimen would require more examinations in order to accurately be associated with a species and check its relationship with both A. feronia and A. floresiana sp. nov.: we leave it undescribed until additional specimens can be located, and it is not included in the following identification key.

Etymology.

The combination of the island name of Flores, as the type series is the first species of Glossamegilla known from the island of Flores, with the Latin suffix - iana indicating a collection of things related to a specific place, hence floresiana sp. nov.

Distribution.

Species restricted, with the current information, to the island of Flores. The A. aff. floresiana is only known on the island of Sumbawa.

Figures

Figure 5. Holotype of A. floresiana Carion & Wood, sp. nov. (RMNH). A. Labels of the specimen; B. Habitus in profile view; C. Face in frontal view; D. Labrum in ventral view; E. Protuberance of the clypeus in profile view; F. Terga in dorsal view.

Figure 6. Male paratype of A. floresiana Carion & Wood, sp. nov. (RMNH). A. Labels of the specimen; B. Habitus in profile view; C. Face in frontal view; D. Labrum in ventral view; E. Protuberance of the clypeus in profile view; F. Terga in dorsal view; G. Genitalia in frontal view; H. Sterna 7 in dorsal view.