Neocorynurella Engel, 1997

ENGEL, MICHAEL S., 2000, Classification Of The Bee Tribe Augochlorini (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2000 (250), pp. 1-89 : 46

Genus Neocorynurella Engel

Neocorynurella Engel in Engel and Klein, 1997: 156. Type species: Neocorynurella seeleyi Engel and Klein, 1997 , original designation.

Vachalius Moure, 1999: 74 . Type species: Halictus cosmetor Vachal, 1911 , monobasic and original designation. NEW SYNONYMY.

DIAGNOSIS: The genus is most similar to Andinaugochlora . Refer to the diagnosis of Andinaugochlora for features separating the two genera.

DESCRIPTION: Female. Mandible with weak subapical tooth. Labral distal process narrowly triangular; basal elevation orbicular; teeth absent. Prementum not greatly elongate. Galeal apex rounded; galeal comb absent; galeal base extending to base of stipes. Hypostomal ridge carinate; anterior angle rounded. Length of malar space less than basal mandibular width. Epistomal sulcus obtuse. Ocelli not greatly enlarged; ocellar furrow absent. Vertex slightly expanded behind ocelli. Preoccipital ridge rounded or weakly carinate. Pronotal lateral angle not produced, obtuse; dorsal ridge rounded; lateral ridge angled. Mesoscutal anterior border rounded; mesoscutal lip rounded. Tegula oval. Anterior basitarsal brush present. Basitibial plate with well-developed borders. Inner hind tibial spur pectinate. Apex of marginal cell truncate. Distal hamuli with irregular spacing pattern. Basal area of propodeum as long as metanotum, striate; propodeal pit narrow. Male. Mandible simple. Labrum with short distal process; basal elevation not notched. Antennae extending back to propodeum; F2 longer than F1. Inner hind tibial spur serrate. Metasoma elongate. Apical margins of S4 and S5 weakly depressed. Apical margin of S6 deeply emarginate. Apical margin of S7 with broad median projection. Apical margin of S8 with narrow median projection; spiculum broad. Proctiger unmodified. Gonobasal bridge narrow; dorsal lobes strong. Parapenial lobe and basal process of gonostylus absent; ventral process twisted apically. Ventral surface of penis valve unmodified.

REVISIONS: The genus currently contains three species; Neocorynurella cosmetor (Vachal) (see appendix 1), N. seeleyi , and N. virida Engel and Klein (nomen emendatum, from N. viridis ).

DISTRIBUTION: The genus occurs in mountainous areas of Colombia and Venezuela.

COMMENTS: Thanks to Frank Koch (ZMHB) I have had the opportunity to examine the lectotype of Halictus cosmetor designated by Moure (1999) and to confirm the synonymy of Vachalius with Neocorynurella . Moure did not have a male, nor is one present in the original series; however, several females that are clearly conspecific with the types are in the AMNH and SEMC (see appendix 1).