Euglossa occidentalis Roubik, 2004

Nemésio, André & Ferrari, Rafael R., 2011, Species of Euglossa (Glossura) and E. (Glossuropoda) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossina) occurring in the Amazon, including new records for Brazil, Zootaxa 2885, pp. 1-13 : 10

Euglossa occidentalis Roubik, 2004

The record of this species in the state of Pará represents a range extension of about 2,500 km eastwards. This astonishing record, without any known specimen from the intermediate state of Amazonas, led us to consider that it could be a misidentification. Comparison with photographs of the holotype and with the original description by Roubik (2004), however, confirmed that morphologically the specimens from Pará deposited at UFMG are indistinguishable from E. occidentalis . The mesotibial tufts of this species resembles those of E. ignita , but general integument coloration and, especially, shape and position of S2 tufts clearly distinguishes both species (see Figures 5 N and 5 O). The specific epithet “ occidentalis ” was erected since Roubik (2004) considered it to be restricted to the westernmost part of the Amazon Basin. The current record, however, suggests a widespread distribution in the Amazon, but close examination of museum specimens labeled under other E. (Glossura) nomina, besides field work in the regions between the now known disjunct geographic distribution may reveal whether this hypothesis is correct.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Ventral view of metasoma. A: E. intersecta, B: E. inflata, C: E. rugilabris, D: E. juremae, E: E. tiputini, F: E. rufipes, G: E. viridifrons, H: E. allosticta, I: E. imperialis, J: E. lugubris, K: E. piliventris, L: E. orellana, M: E. occidentalis, N: E. chalybeata, O: E. ignita.