Lasioglossum medinai ( Vachal, 1895 )

Pauly, Alain, Noël, Grégoire, Sonet, Gontran, Notton, David G. & Boevé, Jean-Luc, 2019, Integrative taxonomy resuscitates two species in the Lasioglossum villosulum complex (Kirby, 1802) (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 541, pp. 1-43 : 22-32

Lasioglossum medinai ( Vachal, 1895)

Halictus medinai Vachal, 1895: 148 . Holotype: ♂, Spain, Sevilla, “col. Medina ” ( MCSN), examined. Blüthgen 1923: 239 (syn. of H. villosulus ). Examined by AP.

New diagnosis

Morphological examination of the type of Halictus medinai confirms that this large specimen belongs to the cryptic species. Its size is 7 mm ( Fig. 2 C–D), the punctation of the scutum is denser than in L. villosulum . Head, punctation of the scutum, sculpture of propodeum and punctation of terga of the male holotype are illustrated ( Fig. 15 ).

Morphological examination of the females makes it possible to note immediately, in addition to a larger body size (7 mm), the denser punctation of the scutum ( Fig. 16 ) as well as the stronger wrinkles of the propodeum, which reach the posterior edge ( Fig. 17 ). In most cases, we can verify the identification using two more subtle characters:

(1) the punctation of the tergum 1 is much more superficial in the middle and on the apical margin, absent in the middle of the apical margin, whereas in L. villosulum the punctation of the tergum 1 is deeper and the apical margin is punctuated even in the middle ( Fig. 18 ).

(2) a small unpunctuated area in front of the larger anterior ocelli, more extended than in L. villosulum , and punctation around this area finer ( Fig. 19 ).

Morphological examination of a single male of L. medinai obtained by breeding and from Uchaux confirms that males of this species also have denser punctation on the scutum. The genitalia of several large males with denser punctation of the scutum and collected at the same time as females of L. medinai show only very subtle differences which may be characteristic ( Fig. 20 ):

– L. medinai : reflexed gonostylus lobe with apex blunt ( Fig. 20 Cb), outer hind corner more produced ( Fig. 20 Ca); gonostylus in line with axis of gonocoxite ( Fig. 20 Cc).

– L. villosulum : reflexed gonostylus lobe with apex more tapered, outer hind corner less produced; gonostylus directed inwards relative to axis of gonocoxite.

Also, in L. medinai the bristles of the last sterna form a slightly thicker fringe ( Fig. 21 ).

Material examined

The following specimens of Lasioglossum medinai were identified by morphology (the asterisk * indicates the specimens selected for barcoding); countries are mentioned from west to east and from north to south:

SPAIN – Cadiz • 2 ♀♀ *; Jerez de la Frontera, 29SQA541660; 40 m; 29 Mar. 2009; J. Ortiz-Sanchez leg. – Segovia • 1 ♀ *; Rio Millanillos, Madrona ; 40°54′ N, 4°09′ W; 930 m; 9 Jun. 2012; J. Ortiz-Sanchez leg. – Albacete • 1 ♀; Caserio zapateros, Sa Alcaraz , 30SWH44468; 1150 m; 23 Apr. 2005, F.J. Ortiz- Sanchez leg. – Cordoba • 3 ♀♀; Fuente Obejuna , 30STH7940; 600 m; 26 Apr. 2009; J. Ortiz-Sanchez leg. – Badajoz • 1 ♀; Badajoz , 29SPD7209; 200 m; 25 Apr. 2009; J. Ortiz-Sanchez leg.

FRANCE – Alpes-de-Haute Provence • 1 ♀; Manosque S of 4.2 km; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 2 ♀♀; 27 Jul. 2005, 4 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA . – Aude • 1 ♀ *; Arzens, Bellevue ; 43°12′ N, 2°13′ E; 10 May 2014; D. Genoud leg. et coll . • 1 ♀ *; Saint-Marcel-sur-Aude, Le Four à Chaux ; 17 Apr. 2014; D. Genoud leg. et coll . • 1 ♀; Pennautier ; 11 Apr. 2015; on Brassica napus ; O. Rollin leg.; INRA . – Charente Maritime • 1 ♀ *; Saintes ; 45°45′ N, 39°07′ W, 20 Aug. 2012; N. Sérès leg. – Drome • 1 ♀ *; Saint-Gervais-sur-Roubion; 44°34′ N, 4°53′ E; 31 Jul. 2007; G. De Prémorel leg.; from crop of Helianthus annuus ; INRA • 1 ♀; Marsanne ; 28 Jul. 2007; on Helianthus annuus ; INRA . – Gard • 1 ♀; Etang du Ponant; 22 Apr. 1980; GABT . – Eure • 1 ♀; Falaise-Giverny ; 49°04′ N, 1°33′ E; 18 May 2017; N. de Manincor leg.; n°FAL-1302 . – Gironde • 1 ♀ *; Lacanau, Cousseau ; 5 May 2013; S. Labatut leg. (D. Genoud coll.) . – Loir and Cher • 1 ♀; Selommes ; 19 Apr. 2007 • 1 ♀; 25 Apr. 2007 • 1 ♀; 25 Apr. 2007; NHMUK 013380274 • 1 ♀; 29 Apr. 2007; RBINS • 1 ♀; 30 Apr. 2007; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA . – Lot • 1 ♀ *; Le Montat; 44°22′ N, 1°25′ E; 24 May 2012; P. Christophe leg. – Maine and Loire • 1 ♀ *; Cléré-sur-layon, La Paguerie , XT9518; 25 Apr. 2013; O. Durand leg. – Pyrénées Orientales • 2 ♀♀; Perpignan ; 10 Apr. 1970; A. Pauly leg.; RBINS • 2 ♀♀; Canet ; Apr. 1893; NHMUK 013380289 , 013380290 . – Rhône • 1 ♀ *; Lyon ; 45°46′ N, 4°47′ E; 20 Jun. 2011; L. Motino leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; Lyon ; 16 Apr. 2013; INRA • 1 ♀; Villeurbanne ; 15 Sep. 2010; L. Neu leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; Crépieux ; 19 Apr. 2011; L. Fortel leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; Meyzieu ; 29 May 2010; L. Neu leg.; INRA . – Vaucluse • 14 ♀♀; Uchaux ; 18 Apr. 1992; L. Plateaux and C. Plateaux-Quénu leg. et coll . • 1 ♀; Bollène ; 22 Apr. 1979; GABT • 1 ♀ *; Cucuron , La Rasparine; 43°45′ N, 5°27′ E; 6 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 2 ♀♀ *; La Tour d’Aigues, St Victor ; 2 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 3 ♀♀ *; 10 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; La Motte d’Aigue, La Pavine ; 16 Jul. 2004; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA • 1 ♂, 12 ♀♀; 30 Jul. 2004; same collection data as for preceding; INRA • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; RBINS • 6 ♀♀; 6 Aug. 2004; same collection data as for preceding; INRA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; NHMUK 013380273 • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Uzès, Mas Marsau ; 1 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 8 Aug. 2005; INRA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 15 Aug. 2005; INRA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 22 Aug. 2005; INRA • 2 ♀♀; Saint Jean de Maruejol, Mas Imbert ; 1 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 2 ♀♀; Cucuron , La Rasparine; 6 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 16 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; Villelaure, Versailles ; 6 Aug. 2004; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA • 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 30 Jul. 2004; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; RBINS • 1 ♀; Villelaure, Saint Pierre ; 2 Aug. 2005; G. Carré leg.; INRA • 5 ♀♀; Villelaure, St Marc ; 30 Jul. 2004; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA • 8 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 6 Aug. 2004; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; Velleron , La Mourelette; 26 Jul. 2002; B. Vaissière leg.; INRA • 2 ♀♀; Lourmarin , La Haute Prairie; 16 Jul. 2014; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA • 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 30 Jul. 2004; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA • 8 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 6 Aug. 2004; R. Chifflet leg.; INRA • 1 ♀; Montfavet, St Maurice ; 27 Jul. 2002; on Lactuca serriola ; B. Vaissière leg.; INRA .

ITALY – Lazio • 1 ♀; Gallinaro; 19–20 Jul. 1983; R. Wahis leg.; GABT . – Campania • 1 ♀; Caserta; Apr. 1895; NHMUK 013380288 . – Veneto • 2 ♀♀; Laguna Veneta; 1944; Soika leg.; NHMUK 013380299 , 013380300 .

AUSTRIA • 1 ♀; Türkenschange , Wien; 1 May 1938; Pittioni leg.; NHMUK 013380297 • 1 ♀; Stammersdorf ; 8 May 1946; NHMUK 013380302 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 19 May 1946; NHMUK 013380301 .

ROMANIA • 1 ♀; Dobrogea, Macin; Montadon leg.; NHMUK 013380292 .

GREECE • 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂; Thessalia, Kalambaka , hillside meadow; 14–20 Jul. 1979; Day, Else and Morgan leg.; NHMUK 013380281 , 013380762 , 013380763 • 1 ♀; Old Lefkas, Lefkas ; 25 Apr. 1977; Guichard leg.; NHMUK 013380283 • 1 ♀; Ilia, Olympia ; 4 Jul. 1979; Day, Else and Morgan leg.; NHMUK 013380285 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Crete, Asprouliani ; 35°21′ N, 24°17′ E; alt. 0–10 m; 25 Jun. 2017; A. Pauly leg.; RBINS .

CYPRUS • 2 ♀♀; Limassol; Feb. 1934; Mavromoustakis leg.; NHMUK 013380293 , 013380294 • 1 ♀; Nicosia; 15 Apr. 1971; K. Guichard leg.; NHMUK 013380295 • 1 ♀; Larnaca; 17 Mar. 1971; K. Guichard leg.; NHMUK 013380296 .

RUSSIA • 1 ♀; Michailowka [? = Mikhailovskaya]; 3 Oct. 1942; NHMUK 013380303 .

ALGERIA • 1 ♀ *; Biskra, Tolga ; 34°43′ N, 5°23′ E; 23 Mar. 2011; H. Djouama leg. et coll .

ISRAEL • 1 ♀ *; Judean foothills, Mevo Horon; 31°52′ N, 35°02′ E; 7 Jun. 2011; Y. Mandelik leg.; HUJ 80871 .

Distribution ( Fig. 22 )

Lasioglossum medinai is a sub-Mediterranean species, occurring in Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Romania, Greece (including Crete), Turkey, Cyprus and North Africa to Israel. There was no evidence of L. medinai in Britain ( DGN).

Figures

Fig. 2. Colouration and relative size of the species and subspecies. A–B. Lasioglossum villosulum (Kirby, 1802), ♀ and ♂. C–D. L. medinai (Vachal, 1895), ♀ and ♂ (holotype). E–F. L. villosulum arabicum Ebmer, 2008, ♀ and ♂.

Fig. 15. Lasioglossum medinai (Vachal, 1895), holotype, ♂. A. Head. B. Scutum. C. Propodeum. D. Metasoma.

Fig. 16. Punctation of the scutum of females. A. Lasioglossum medinai (Vachal, 1895) (France: Uchaux). B. L. villosulum (Kirby, 1802) (Belgium: Bruges).

Fig. 17. Propodeum sculpture of females. A. Lasioglossum medinai (Vachal, 1895) (France: Uchaux). B. L. villosulum (Kirby, 1802).

Fig. 18. Punctation of the first tergum of females. A. Lasioglossum medinai (Vachal, 1895) (France: Uchaux). B. L. villosulum (Kirby, 1802) (France: Visan).

Fig. 19. Punctation in front of the medial ocellus of females. A. Lasioglossum medinai (Vachal, 1895) (France: Uchaux). B. L. villosulum (Kirby, 1802) (Luxembourg: Stadtbredimus).

Fig. 20. Male genitalia in dorsal and ventral views. A–B. Lasioglossum medinai (Vachal, 1895) (France: Alpes de Haute-Provence, Manosque). C. L. medinai (Greece: Thessalia, Kalambaka) (explanation of arrows in the text). D–E. L. villosulum (Kirby, 1802) (Belgium).

Fig. 21. Fringe on sternum 5 of males (arrow showing the fringe). A. Lasioglossum villosulum (Kirby, 1802). B. L. medinai (Vachal, 1895).

Fig. 22. Geographical distribution of the two pseudocryptic species in the Western Palaearctic. A. Lasioglossum villosulum (Kirby, 1802). B. L. medinai (Vachal, 1895).