Pseudapis kuhlmanni Pauly & Monks, 2023

Pauly, Alain, Monks, Joseph & Polaszek, Andrew, 2023, Two new species of Pseudapis Kirby, 1900 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Nomiinae) from Oman, Zootaxa 5263 (1), pp. 107-121 : 109-114

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5263.1.6
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DF78096E-90C4-4BB9-8085-BD07E6A7F91D
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7805372
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03E4F47B-DB64-6913-FF12-2728FDC0FB04
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Pseudapis kuhlmanni Pauly & Monks
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Pseudapis kuhlmanni Pauly & Monks sp. nov.

( Figs 2–6 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 View FIGURE 5 View FIGURE 6 ).

Description. Male. Length 7–8 mm. Colour: body black; mandibles, undersides of antennae, tibiae and sterna brown; apical lobe of hind tibiae, tarsi (except last segment of middle legs and tarsi of hind legs) ivory white; tegulae white with a black central spot.

Pubescence white, slightly ochraceous ( Figs 2 View FIGURE 2 , 3A View FIGURE 3 ). Lower part of face, frons and part of vertex covered with filamentous pubescence ( Fig. 3B View FIGURE 3 ); anterior and posterior edge of mesoscutum, anterior edge of scutellum and metanotum with short scaly pubescence ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 ); base and latero-apical parts of the first tergum ( Fig. 3E View FIGURE 3 ), base and apical margin of subsequent terga with tomentose bands ( Fig. 3F View FIGURE 3 ). Lower surface of the posterior femora with relatively short spatulate bristles, as in P. interstitinervis (Strand, 1912) ( Fig. 4B View FIGURE 4 ; cf. also Fig. 165 in Pauly, 1990).

Punctation and structures. Mesoscutum smooth with moderate punctation, the distance between punctures with an average size of 0.5-1 puncture diameter ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 ). Scutellum without projections ( Fig. 3C View FIGURE 3 ). Propodeal area narrow, slightly grooved and keeled posteriorly ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ). Hind femora swollen. Hind tibiae with well-developed lobes ( Fig. 4A View FIGURE 4 ). Apical tarsal segment of mid legs black, slightly dilated, without long bristles ( Fig. 6A View FIGURE 6 ). Metasomal terga with strong punctation, the distance between punctures equal to their diameter ( Fig. 3F View FIGURE 3 ), the apical margin of the first tergum with fine punctation ( Fig. 3E View FIGURE 3 ). Sternum 4 with two small medio-apical lamellae, closer together than in P. interstitinervis (compare Figs. 4 C, D View FIGURE 4 ), the lateral parts of the sternum slightly raised to form a plateau as in P. interstitinervis . Sternum 5 with a medio-longitudinal keel slightly convex in the middle ( Figs 4 C, E View FIGURE 4 ). Genitalia ( Figs 4E, F View FIGURE 4 ).

Female. Length 7.5–8 mm. Colour: Body black ( Fig. 5A View FIGURE 5 ), tibiae and hind tarsi orange ( Fig 5B View FIGURE 5 ). Tegulae white with a black spot at the base ( Fig. 6C View FIGURE 6 ).

Pubescence white ( Fig. 5A View FIGURE 5 ). Face with long white bristles on the clypeus and the paraocular areas, the vertex and the supra-clypeal area with few bristles, the punctation being clearly visible ( Fig. 6A View FIGURE 6 ). Anterior border of mesoscutum and metanotum with short, felted pubescence ( Fig. 6C View FIGURE 6 ). Terga with apical felt bands, the first two interrupted ( Fig. 6F View FIGURE 6 ). First tergum with two lateral spots at the base ( Fig. 6E View FIGURE 6 ).

Punctation and structures. Head rounded, height / width = 1:1 ( Fig. 6A View FIGURE 6 ). Mesoscutum smooth, the punctures moderately spaced, the distance between punctures with an average size of 1-1.5 puncture diameter ( Fig. 6C View FIGURE 6 ). Propodeal area with posterior grooves ( Fig. 6D View FIGURE 6 ). Punctation of the first tergum relatively strong and moderately spaced in the middle, the apical margin finely punctate ( Fig. 6E View FIGURE 6 ). Punctation of tergum 2 and the following similar ( Fig. 6F View FIGURE 6 ), stronger than in P. nilotica (Smith, 1875) .

Diagnosis. This species belongs to the genus Pseudapis by its large tegulae and the apical bands on the terga (in the close genus Nomiapis there are only basal bands).

Male. In the key of Pauly (1990), we arrive at couplet 16, and in the key of Bossert & Pauly (2019) at couplet 18. Like P. interstitinervis , this new species has the last tarsal segment of the midleg modified in a broad black disc and without brushes, scutellum without projections, two lobes on the apical margin of sternum 4, and the lobe of the hind tibia identical ( Fig 4A View FIGURE 4 and Fig. 4B View FIGURE 4 ). The new species differs by the two lobes of the apical margin of sternum 4 which are closer together ( Figs 4C, E View FIGURE 4 ) than in P. interstitinervis ( Fig. 4D View FIGURE 4 ). The species differs also by its geographic distribution limited to the Arabian Peninsula, while P. interstitinervis occurs in the African continent.

The key to males in Bossert & Pauly (2019) should be updated as follows:

18. Sternum 4 without lateral carinae but with two lobes on apical margin of different shape (Fig. 187 in Pauly, 1990); hind leg tibia weakly developed apically, shape as in Fig. 166 in Pauly, 1990.......................... P. edentata (Morawitz, 1876) View in CoL

- Sternum 4 with two lateral carinae and two lobes on apical margin ( Fig. 4C,D,E View FIGURE 4 ); tibia of hind leg strongly widened apically, flat ( Fig. 4A View FIGURE 4 )...................................................................................... 18a

18a. Lobes of the apical margin of sternum 4 distantly separated ( Fig 4D View FIGURE 4 ); continental tropical Africa................................................................................................. P. interstitinervis (Strand, 1912) View in CoL

- Lobes of the apical margin of sternum 4 closer together ( Figs 4C, E View FIGURE 4 ); Arabian Peninsula.................................................................................................. P. kuhlmanni Pauly & Monks sp. nov.

Female. In the key of Pauly (1990), we arrive at couplet 7, in the group of P. interstitinervis : scutum smooth and not tessellated, propodeal area bordered posteriorly, the spaced punctuation of the scutum, the white pubescence, the spaced punctuation of the first tergum, the quite strong punctuation of the tergum 2, the apical bands of the terga narrower than in P. nilotica (Smith, 1875) (= P. armata auct. in the key). It is almost indistinguishable from that of P. interstitinervis . The punctation and the orange coloration of the posterior tibiae are the same. The female can however be separated by its geographic distribution, since P. interstitinervis and the other inseparable females of the group interstitinervis in couplet 7, P. innesi (Gribodo, 1894) , P. duplocincta (Vachal, 1897) and P. dixica ( Warncke, 1976) , are strictly African and do not occur in the Arabian Peninsula.

Etymology. Named for the melittologist Michael Kuhlmann, who collected the holotype.

Holotype. 1♁, Oman, Muscat—Quriat Wadi at road, 70 m, 23°32.23′N 59°31.11′E, on red Fabaceae , 17.XII.2003, leg. M.Kuhlmann ( KUH) (the col.Kuhlmann is preserved in the Zoological Museum of the Kiel University, Germany). GoogleMaps

Paratypes. Oman. Muscat —Quriat Wadi at road, 70 m, N 23°32.23′ E 59°31.11′, on red Fabaceae , 17.XII.2003, 2♁, 5♀, leg. M. Kuhlmann (KUH).—Al Mazaree, Wadi Dhayqah, 100m, 23°06.20′N 58°51.57′E, on Aerva javanica (Amaranthaceae) , 18.XII.2003, 1♁, 5♀ leg. M. Kuhlmann (KUH).— S. Nizwa, Wadi Ghul, 22°53.01′N 57°31.08′E, 500 m, garden, 16.XII.2003, 1♀, leg. M. Kuhlmann (KUH).— Dhofar, Rd 48 Wadi Darbat, 17°03.14′N 54°25.58′E, 23 m (75ft), 9.IX.2000, 1♁, leg. F. Strumia (MSNP).— Dhofar, Wadi Ashawq, 16°53.90′N 53°46.30′E, 58 m (190ft), 4.IV.2001, Boswellia sacra , 1♀, leg. F. Strumia & P.L. Scaramozzino (MSNP), 9.IX.2002, 2♀, leg. F. Strumia (MSNP).— Dhofar, first watering place, 17°03.06‘N 54°50.97‘E, 134 m (440ft), 7.IX.2000, 1♀, leg. M. Generari (MSNP).— Dhofar, Khor Rouri (Taqah), 17°02.27‘N 54°26.16‘E, 37 m (120ft), 12.IX.2000, Limonium sp. , 1♀, leg. M. Generari & P.L. Scaramozzino (MSNP).—Batinah, Rd10 Murri, 23°27.48′N 57°05.64′E, 700 m, 10.iv.2001, 1♀, leg. F. Strumia & P.L. Scaramozzino (MSNP).—Yiti (wadi), 23°31.45′N 058°37.24′S, 69 m, 21.VI.2016, Vachellia tortilis , 1♁, 1♀, 31.I.2017, Euphorbia larica , 1♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Samail Village, 23°15.91′N 057°59′03”E, 423 m, 22.VI.2016, Ochradenus aucheri , 1♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Ghubrah Canyon, 23°26.49′N 057°52.46′E, 289 m, 27.VI.2016, Acridocarpus orientalis , 1♁, 1♀, 28.I.2017, Euphorbia larica , 2♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Al Awabi, 23°16.07′ N 057°30.56′E, 619 m, 31.I.2017, Ochradenus aucheri , 1♁, 2♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Al Fara, 23°18.58′N 057°28.55′E, 485 m, 29.I.2017, Aerva javanica , 1♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Birkat Al-Mouz, 22°57.32′N 057°39.63′E, 631 m, 26.I.2016, Euphorbia larica , 1♁, 25.IV.2016, 1♀, leg. J. Monks (ONHM).—Jebel Shams, 23°13.21′N 57°11.38′E, 1907 m, 1♁, leg. J. Monks (ONHM).—Hajar Mts, above Snake Gorge, 23°12.38′N 57°23.35′E, 922 m, 17.III.2018, 1♀, leg. A. Polaszek, NHMUK013377643 (NHMUK).—Hajar Mts, nr Bima, 23°12.44′N 057°23.08′E, 865 m 17.III.2018, 1♀, leg. A. Polaszek, NHMUK013377635 (NHMUK).—Bald Sayt, 23°19.04′N 057°38.78′E, 17.III.2018, 1♁, leg. J. Monks, NHM010819703 (NHMUK).

Geographic distribution. Known only from Oman ( Figs. 1 View FIGURE 1 , B, C, D).

Host plants. Pseudapis kuhlmanni was collected from the flowers of seven plant families, and consequently appears to be polylectic as are other species of the genus. Whether the bee exhibits floral constancy at certain times of the year or is a generalist throughout the season is unknown. In the Hajar Mountains P. kuhlmanni was recorded from the flowers of the following plants: Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Shult (Amaranthaceae) ( Fig. 12B View FIGURE 12 ), Euphorbia larica Boiss (Euphorbiaceae) , Vachellia tortilis (Forssk.) Galasso & Banfi (Fabaceae) , Acridocarpus orientalis A. Juss (Malpighiaceae) ( Fig. 12A View FIGURE 12 ) and Ochradenus aucheri Boiss (Resedaceae) ( Fig. 12C View FIGURE 12 ). All these plants are typical of the flora of the arid lowland Hajar Mountains.