Epeolus danieli ( Genaro, 2014 ) Onuferko, 2019

Onuferko, Thomas M., 2019, A review of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Epeolus Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico, European Journal of Taxonomy 563, pp. 1-69 : 19-21

Epeolus danieli ( Genaro, 2014) comb. nov.

Figs 7C , 9

Triepeolus danieli Genaro, 2014: 23 (♀).

Proposed common name

Daniel’s epeolus.

Diagnosis

The following morphological features in combination can be used to tell E. danieli apart from all other New World Epeolus : the axillae are large, each with the tip extending as far back as the apex of the horizontal dorsal portion of the mesoscutellum, distinctly hooked, each with the tip unattached to the mesoscutellum for more than ⅓ of the entire medial length of the axilla, and like the mesoscutellum ferruginous ( Fig. 9C ); T1 has a distinct, although medially interrupted, basal fascia, which on each side is connected to the apical fascia by a longitudinal band ( Fig. 9B ); the T1–T4 apical fasciae are broadened submedially and separated into rounded lobes medially ( Fig. 9B ); and the metasomal fasciae are uniformly yellow ( Fig. 9B ).

Material examined

Primary type material

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC • ♀, Tri. danieli holotype (studied from images); La Altagracia Province, Cueva del Puente (Guaraguao, Parque Nacional Del Este ); 9 May 1992; B. Hierro leg.; MNHNSD 18.107 .

DNA barcoded material with BIN-compliant sequences

Unavailable.

Description

This species was recently described ( Genaro 2014).

Distribution

This species is presently known from a single location in the Dominican Republic and is the only species of Epeolus known to occur on the island of Hispaniola ( Fig. 7C ).

Ecology

Host records

Unknown. Only members of the genus Colletes have been confirmed as hosts of Epeolus , but there are no records of Colletes from Hispaniola on either Moure’s Bee Catalogue ( Moure et al. 2007) or Discover Life ( Ascher & Pickering 2019).

Floral records

Unknown.

Remarks

Although originally described as a species of Triepeolus , images of the holotype of Tri. danieli (fig. 5 in Genaro 2014 and additional images kindly provided by Gabriel de los Santos, MNHNSD, which are presented in Fig. 9 of the present study) show features that are diagnostic for Epeolus (sensu Rightmyer 2004; see also Onuferko 2017). Specifically, the apical lateral processes of S6 are convergent, spatulate, and bear setae modified into minute, pointed denticles, which are directed laterally ( Fig. 9D ). By contrast, in Triepeolus and all other Epeolini the processes are parallel or slightly divergent, rod-like and bear coarse, spine-like setae, which are directed medioventrally to ventrally ( Rightmyer 2004). Additionally, as in most Epeolus spp., the pseudopygidial area in the Tri. danieli holotype is lunate and wider than long (the apex>2 × the medial length) ( Fig. 9D ). In Triepeolus , the pseudopygidial area varies greatly among species but very rarely forms a wide silvery lunule on the apical margin ( Rightmyer 2004).

The only (female) paratype (fig. 8 in Genaro 2014) is meant to have been deposited in the USNM but does not appear to be there (B. Harris and S. Droege, personal communication, 2019). Genaro (2014) reports that the collection data for the paratype is the same as for the holotype. The male of E. danieli is still unknown, and no additional representatives of this species appear to have been found since its original description.

Although recognizable as an Epeolus , within the genus the species is incertae sedis. It is difficult to confirm the species’ placement within or outside of the ‘ Trophocleptria group’ from images of the holotype and published description alone. Since no representatives of this species were available for more detailed examination, the species is not redescribed herein. However, despite having been described as a species of Triepeolus , Genaro’s (2014) original description is sufficiently detailed to tell E. danieli apart from all other New World Epeolus occurring south of the United States. Epeolus danieli is the only species in the genus known to occur in Hispaniola, where it appears to be endemic, and apart from the diagnostic generic features can be distinguished from the other two known Hispaniolan species of Epeolini ( Tri. nisibonensis Genaro, 2001 and Tri. victori Genaro, 1998 ) using the illustrated key presented in Genaro (2014: 23).

Figures

Fig. 7 (opposite page). Occurrence records (yellow circles except where indicated otherwise) of: A. Epeolus boliviensis Friese, 1908. B. E. claripennis Friese, 1908. C. E. danieli (Genaro, 2014) comb. nov. (orange square) and E. luteipennis Friese, 1916. D. E. fulvopilosus Cameron, 1902. E. E. fumipennis Say, 1837. F. E. hanusiae sp. nov. G. E. niger (Michener, 1954). H. E. nomadiformis sp. nov. I. E. obscuripes Cockerell, 1917 stat. nov. J. E. odyneroides sp. nov. K. E. pulchellus Cresson, 1865.

Fig. 9. Epeolus danieli (Genaro, 2014) comb. nov., holotype, ♀ (MNHNSD 18.107). A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Habitus, dorsal view. C. Mesosoma, dorsal view. D. Posterior part of metasoma, dorsal view (blue arrow indicates process of S6). Images courtesy of G. de los Santos, MNHNSD. Scale bars: A–B = 3 mm; C–D = 1 mm.