Chilicola (Chilioediscelis) sardonyx Willis and Packer

Willis, Erin & Packer, Laurence, 2008, Revision and phylogenetic analysis of Chilioediscelis (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) with descriptions of three new species, Zootaxa 1762 (1), pp. 29-52 : 41-43

Chilicola (Chilioediscelis) sardonyx Willis and Packer new species

Diagnosis: Males of C. sardonyx can be differentiated from all other Chilioediscelis by the ratio of OOC to IOC. In all other OOC is less than IOC, in C. sardonyx OOC is equal to IOC.

Females of C. sardonyx can be distinguished from all others by the coloration of its mandible base, which is entirely orange; other species have at most a small yellow spot.

Description: Male: Length 6.2mm, forewing length 3.8mm, head width 1.6 mm, intertegular span 1.2mm.

Colouration: As in C. andina except yellow as follows, labrum, lower paraocular area maculations extend to dorsolateral margin of clypeus, profemur and mesotibia anteriorly, pro- and metatibia mostly, pro- and mesobasitarsi entirely, metabasitarsi entirely.

Pubescence: As in C. andina .

Surface Sculpture: As in C. andina except as follows, gena striate close to mandible base; mesoscutum with punctures sparser (i=1–4d); mesopleuron with punctures denser (i=1–2d), noticeably sparser above level of scrobe.

Structure: As in C. andina except as follows: Head: Labrum not concave dorsally. Subantennal sutures separated more widely, length:distance that separates them, 6:10. Frontal line raised, and extending about 0.5– 0.75X the length between median ocellus and supraclypeal area. Vertex concave in frontal view. OOC equal to IOC (9:9). Ratio of pedicel:F1:F2:F3 (4.5:4.5:4:4). Flagellomeres slightly longer than broad. Malar space shorter, length:basal depth of mandible (3:7). Gena narrower, (6:15);

Mesosoma: Pronotal collar short, noticeably less than diameter of median ocellus, present medially. Ratio of scutellum:metanotum:propodeum (14:5:8). Scrobal groove entire. Ventral surface of metatrochanter acutely angulate in lateral view. Metafemur and metatibia less swollen, length to breadth (36:20) and (32:14) respectively. Stigmal margin convex in marginal cell;

Metasoma: S1 slightly swollen apically. Apical impressed areas less extensive, less than 0.33 X as long as corresponding tergum. S7 as in C. mirzamalae but ventral lobe broader and short setae of dorsal lobe extending to base. S8 lost in only male known. Genital capsule broadened towards apical one third, convex laterally just before gonostylus. Penis valve with both membranous lobes long and broad. Gonobase and S8 lost in sole male specimen.

Description: Female: Length 6.4mm, forewing length 4.1mm, head width 1.7 mm, intertegular span 1.2mm.

Colouration: As in C. andina female except protibia and profemur brown, mesofemur yellow apically and meso- and metatibiae yellow basally; T1 dark, rest of metasomal terga orange except suffused with brown on sides of T2 and T3.

Pubescence: As in C. andina except apical hair bands only evident on T1-T3

Surface Sculpture: As in male except punctures finer and facial striae stronger.

Structure: As in male except as follows: Head: Clypeus broader (25:18). Eyes less convergent below, UOD:LOD (33:31). Ratio of pedicel:F1:F2:F3 (4.5:5:5:5). Flagellomeres about as long as broad;

Mesosoma: Hind leg unmodified;

Metasoma: S1 not swollen apically. Apical impressed areas more extensive, more than 0.33 X as long as corresponding tergum.

Material Examined: Holotype male: ARGENTINA, Mendoza, Horcones, 2900m, 10.i.1985, A.Roig. Allotype female: same data except 3000m and collected on 9.i.1985. Both specimens are at MACN.

Etymology: This specific epithet is a reference to where the allotype was found, at a nest between two flat stones: sardonyx is the latin word for “precious stone”.