Anthidianum Michener

Parizotto, Daniele R., 2009, Taxonomic notes on Neotropical Anthidiini, with description of the male of Chrisanthidium adornatum Urban (Hymenoptera: Megachilinae) *, Zootaxa 2034, pp. 49-55 : 51

Anthidianum Michener

Anthidianum was originally described as Trichanthidium by Moure (1947) to include Anthidium subpetiolatum (Schrottky) . Michener (1948) discovered that this was a junior homonym, and therefore proposed the name Anthidianum , including it as a subgenus of Allanthidium . Urban (2001) gave Anthidianum generic status, described a new species, A. andicola , and considered Anthidianum bizonatum Friese a junior synonym of Anthidianum subpetiolatum . Urban (2003) described Anthidianum chilense and transferred Anthidium caroliameghinoi Brèthes to Anthidianum . The species of Anthidianum can be recognized by the first sternum with a median projection in both sexes, and the four toothed mandible of the female. The genus is known from Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.

Urban (2001) considered A. bizonatum as a junior synonym of A. subpetiolatum , based on the black face of males. However, in the original description of A. bizonatum , the male is characterized by having a light yellow clypeus. Studying material identified as Anthidianum subpetiolatum , I found a female specimen from Bolivia (the type-locality of A. bizonatum ), that has all the diagnostic features of A. bizonatum , and therefore it is here assumed as the female of A. bizonatum . This specimen lacks yellow bands on the mesoscutum and has a hoplitiform body. Anthidianum subpetiolatum has a chalicodomiform body, two yellow bands on the mesoscutum and males with the head black, except for two yellow spots above the eyes. Urban (2003), when describing A. chilense , discussed that specimens identified as A. bizonatum by Toro and Rodríguez (1998) were in fact specimens of A. chilense . Type material of A. chilense agrees with elements of the description of A. bizonatum , such as the ventral half of males’ head light yellow and the lack of yellow bands on the mesoscutum. A. chilense may prove to be a synonym of A. bizonatum , but to confirm this synonymy, the type specimen of A. bizonatum must be examined but this was not studied by me. Based on the analysis of the type material of A. chilense and A. subpetiolatum and the original description of A. bizonatum , the name A. bizonatum is herein reinstated as a valid species.