Smicromyrme suarezi Matias, 2024

Matias, Rafael, 2024, Undescribed diversity in Iberian Mutillidae (Hymenoptera): a new species of Smicromyrme Thomson, 1870 from Portugal, Zootaxa 5446 (3), pp. 301-330 : 304-315

Smicromyrme suarezi Matias , sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/ D07D12EF-FFD5-4C90-A75F-E3C9AACD7EE2

( Figs 1A–K , 2A–J , 3A–L , 6A, 6D , 7A , 8A–B )

Diagnosis. FEMALE. The following combination of characters is diagnostic: vertex with pale oval spot of silvery to golden appressed pubescence; T2 with pale recumbent pubescence defining three basal subcircular spots (one medial, two lateral) and medially weakly broader (not markedly triangular) continuous apical band; T3 with full band of pale pubescence, apico-medially variably narrower, forming notch; mesosoma subtrapezoidal (dorsal view), weakly narrower on propodeum, with dorsal profile low, sub-horizontal, weakly convex along mid-line (lateral view); scutellar scale small but evident, transverse; mandible apically acuminate with two internal subapical denticles, with distal element externally convex towards apex, and with inner basal ridge and ventral groove curved inwards, not straight; pronotal border black; pygidium basally broad, subtriangular, with surface covered to apex in thin grooves divergent towards sides and basally concentrical, laterally low carinate. Body length 4.0–6.4 mm. MALE. Unknown.

Description of holotype. FEMALE. Body length 5.9 mm. Colouration. Head black, except for dorso-apical brown spot on antennal tubercle, dark reddish-brown postgena and oral cavity, and yellowish-orange basal two thirds of mandible; mandible externo-basally with long yellowish to pale brownish setae; upper vertex with broad oval spot of dense pale silvery-golden appressed pubescence (with few marginal coppery or golden-coloured recumbent setae), slightly extended acutely towards lower frons by a few setae ( Figs. 1G–H ); frons mostly covered by black recumbent pubescence; clypeus with sparse mostly sepia-brown long setae ( Fig. 1I ); gena and malar space with moderately dense thin whitish appressed pubescence; postgena anteriorly glabrous; dark brown erect setae sparsely distributed over upper frons and vertex (longest as long as eye width). Antenna orange-brown, weakly darker both on scape and progressively on F6–10, weakly paler on pedicel and F1; scape with relatively sparse appressed silvery pubescence, with yellowish-white minute setae on pedicel and F1 basally ( Fig. 1E ). Mesosoma pale ferruginous-red, except for thin black pronotal band dorsally over ca. 75% central pronotal width, not reaching humeral angles ( Fig. 1J ), slightly browner propleuron, apically darkened scutellar scale and inconspicuously on darkened minute tubercles and raised interspaces both adjacent to scutellar scale and on propodeal area; pronotum dorsally with fringe of relatively sparse, thin and long black recumbent pubescence, originating on the black integument and overlapping the ferruginous-red integument of dorsum anteriorly; pronotum laterally, meso and metapleuron, and propodeal sides, covered with thin whitish recumbent pubescence; mesosomal dorsum to scutellar scale covered with moderately dense pale golden recumbent pubescence, paler yellowish-white laterally, with one single black recumbent seta posteriorly; propodeum covered with pale-yellow recumbent setae, oriented towards scutellar scale, with two single black recumbent setae admixed. Erect dark-brown to blackish setae of similar length as on head sparsely distributed over mesosomal dorsum, at least twice as long whitish to yellowish-white setae over propodeal posterior face, reaching metasoma, and over humeral angles. Legs orange-brown, femora weakly darker and tarsomeres paler orange-brown; procoxa slightly darker brown; coxae, femora and tibiae covered in long thin whitish pubescence, as sparse as over pleurae; tarsi with shorter pubescence, whitish dorsally, pale buffish-coloured ventrally; tarsal claws translucent pale yellowish-brown; tibial and tarsomeral spines translucent pale-brown, apically darker; tibial spurs yellowish-white. Metasoma black, except for basally reddish-brown T1, thin apical brown band on T2–5, dark-brown apex of pygidium, medium reddish-brown S1, distally brownish S2, dark-brown S3, dark-reddish brown S4, and slightly paler reddish-brown S5–6. T1 with numerous yellowish-white erect setae oriented towards propodeum; apical fringe of moderately sparse recumbent black setae, with distolateral section of fringe whitish (ca. 10 setae), overlaps T2 basally. T2 covered in black recumbent pubescence, denser over disc (punctation visible), basally with three roundish spots of silvery-white recumbent pubescence: denser medial spot, subcircular, and two dorso-lateral spots slightly sparser and elongated; central spot separated from lateral spots by distance narrower than its diameter and from T1 by distance ca. 50% of its length; apical band of recumbent silvery-white pubescence, gradually expanded medially defining weakly triangular low curve (ca. 20% broader than laterally); few black recumbent setae apicomedially, underlying silvery pubescence together with paler integument, create impression of light brownish apicomedial line; tergum not fringed laterally by pale setae. T3 covered with band of silvery-white recumbent pubescence, partially interrupted apicomedially, where pale pubescence shorter, by triangular shaped area of finer and sparser black recumbent pubescence, resulting in two distinct halves. T4–5 covered by black pubescence, except for few silvery-white recumbent setae on extreme sides of T4. T6 laterally with tuft of long sepia-brown setae oriented towards apical end of pygidium, margining not overlapping the pygidium. Erect setae distributed all over metasomal dorsum, denser and each seta up to 2–4 × as long than over mesosoma; erect setae whitish (tinged brownish-yellow) over areas with pale pubescence and mostly blackish over areas with dark recumbent pubescence on T2; dark erect setae over dorsum of T2 as long as those on head and mesosoma, those whitish lateral longer. S2 covered with moderately sparse thin silvery-white recumbent pubescence and whitish sparse long erect setae; S2–4 apically fringed both with similar pale pubescence and with long whitish erect setae. Felt-line on T2 ca. 0.3 × T2, composed of tightly set short dark sepia-brown to pale brown setae (angle of lightdependent), inconspicuous; proximal half partially overlapped by longer sparse silvery-white recumbent setae (not part of felt-line) ( Fig. 1K ).

Shape, structure and punctation. Head transverse, dorsally with short subparallel sides behind the eyes, weakly rounded posterior angles, weakly convex posterior border which is slightly broader than pronotal anterior border, eye weakly convex and laterally weakly protruding. Frons and vertex densely punctate-reticulate; punctation shallower towards medial line and lower frons, deeper and larger between antennal scrobe and vertex, and more regular on vertex, interspaces narrow; antennal scrobe, malar space and gena densely punctate to punctate-reticulate, interspaces narrow, becoming areolate-reticulate on transition to postgena, where some interspaces obliterate; postgenal bridge anteriorly impunctate, coriarious, posteriorly with weakly impressed depressions. Clypeus with dorsal half short, with medial transverse sinuate carina, medial longitudinal elevation and subapical low tubercle on dorsal half, lower half weakly concave; antennal scrobe with low arcuate dorsal carina; hypostomal carina regularly low; genal carina not developed. Mandible apically acuminate and unidentate, internally with two small subapical denticles, the proximal one low, weakly developed; apex externally convex; basal portion short; distal element not notably elongate and weakly convex on the external margin, ca. 1.9 × basal portion; inner basal ridge sinuate, flexuose, curved inwards; inner angle between basal portion and distal element ca. 135º. Antenna: F1 ca. 1.6 × pedicel, 1.3 × F2 and 1.0 × F3; antennal tubercle shiny, impunctate; antennal scape shiny, shallowly punctate, denser ventrally. Ratio of head width at outer surface of eyes, minimum distance between the eyes and head width behind the eyes is 71:46:67. Mesosoma dorsally sub-trapezoidal, pronotal anterior border weakly convex, weakly rounded humeral angles, and weakly concave sides; width at pronotal spiracles ca. 1.12 × width at propodeum (scutellar scale level); seen laterally dorsal mid-line weakly curved, weakly angled (ca. 5º) from pronotum to scutellar scale, with short dorsal propodeal face and weakly convex posterior propodeal face, roughly describing 27º angle. Pronotal, dorsal and propodeal areas punctate-reticulate, punctures relatively large (ca. 1.5 × larger than on vertex; ca. 2–3 × as wide as on T2 disc) and moderately deep, interspaces narrow, some obliterate; propodeal posterior face with interspaces slightly raised and lamellar, producing sub-scabrous surface. Shallow transversal groove anterior to scutellar scale, longitudinally two punctures wide, irregularly extending towards propodeal spiracle, bordered anteriorly by low ridge of irregularly raised interspaces. Scutellar scale transverse, weakly arcuate, low, relatively broad (ca. 0.16 × mesosoma width at same level), ca. 2–3 punctures wide; longitudinally short, width ca. 3 × length, prolonged laterally by string of irregularly raised low lamellar interspaces. Mesopleuron very sparsely punctulate. Humeral carina low. Propleuron very shallowly, densely punctate (not well defined). Ratio of width at humeral finely serrated robust spurs on inner side; coxae and trochantera with coarse shallow punctulation, interspaces irregular, mostly ca. one puncture wide; femora and tibiae sparsely, shallowly, punctulate. Metasoma. Subpyriform seen dorsally; T1 dorsally relatively short and broad apically, not conspicuously protruding, seen laterally minimally convex and subtruncate, apical width ca. 4.4 × dorsal medial length; T2 seen dorsally with sides smoothly curved, widest point just anterior to tergal mid-length, ca. 2.1 × as wide as T1 apically; ratio width/length ca. 1.0. T1 punctulate-puncticulate, interspaces variable, narrower subapically where punctation denser. T2 densely punctate-reticulate, punctures small, deep and dorsally slightly elongated longitudinally (length ca. 2 × width) over lateral section of disc, interspaces narrower than one puncture, some interspaces obliterate; punctures slightly smaller, rounder and sparser (interspaces ca. 1–3 punctures wide) on the area between the basomedial round spot of pubescence and apical band; punctures also rounder, sparser and some larger below felt-line, underneath lateral spots of pale pubescence, and apically. T3 punctation partially hidden by dense pubescence; punctation very dense on exposed sections, punctures rounder and smaller than on T2, interspaces ca. one puncture wide or less. T4–5 irregularly punctulate, punctation denser and larger laterally, interspaces ca. 1–3 punctures wide, some obliterate. Pygidium ( Fig. 1D ) broadest basally, wide oval (ratio length/width ca. 1.2), with weakly convergent sides, laterally uniformly low carinate; dorsally weakly convex; densely striated longitudinally to apex, striae thin, basally concentric, laterally longitudinal and divergent towards sides (ca. 14º from medial longitudinal axis); ca. 26 striae across maximum width; apex with ill-defined sub-reticulate pattern. S1 longitudinally with low medial carina, irregularly punctulate. S2 moderately densely punctate, punctures moderately large (as on T2 laterally) and round; interspaces irregular, ca. 1–3 punctures wide. S3–5: sterna densely micropunctate over proximal half; densely punctulate, interspaces mostly narrower than one puncture, over distal half. S6 apically bidentate, with few punctures over distal half. Ratio of head width at outer surface of eyes, anterior spiracles and width of T2 is 71:69:90. MALE. Unknown.

Material examined. Holotype ♀, PORTUGAL, CASTELO BRANCO: Alfrívida ( Vila Velha de Ródão ), 39º42’54.75’’N 7º30’32.22’’W, 226 m asl, 31.vii.2019, R. Matias leg. (ex-RMC922); [ MNHNCENT0050744 ] . Paratypes (35♀♀; all specimens R. Matias leg. & coll.). PORTUGAL. BRAGANÇA: serra da Nogueira, ca. 1.5 km SW of Rebordãos (Bragança; site: 41°43’50.96”N 6°50’50.48”W, 987 m asl), 8.vii.2018, 1♀; SW from Aldeia Nova ( Miranda do Douro ; site: 41°32’05.78”N 6°14’09.37”W, 707 m asl), 16.viii.2022, 1♀; Vale de Águia ( Miranda do Douro ), 16.viii.2022, 1♀; ca. 700 m W from camping park of Miranda do Douro (site: 41°29’37.12”N 6°17’42.88”W, 699 m asl) , 18.viii.2022, 1♀; ca. 1 km SW from Vale de Águia ( Miranda do Douro ; site: 41°31’20.48”N 6°15’28.13”W, 698 m asl) , 18.viii.2022, 2♀. CASTELO BRANCO: Rosmaninhal (Idanhaa-Nova; site: 39°39’54.5”N 7°09’47.7”W, 275 m asl) , 9.viii.2001, 3♀; Alfrívida ( Vila Velha de Ródão ; site: type locality) : 30.vii.2019 (1♀) , 31.vii.2019 (1♀) . LISBON: Casal Palear—Casais do Sol , Carvoeira (Torres Vedras; site: 39°04’18.97”N 9°10’03.67”W, 155 m asl): 14.viii.2018 (2♀) ; 12.viii.2019 (1♀) ; 6.ix.2019 (1♀) ; 7.ix.2019 (1♀) ; 8.ix.2019 (1♀) ; 21.vii.2021 (2♀) ; 31.vii.2021 (1♀) ; 11.viii.2021 (2♀) ; 13.viii.2021 (1♀) ; 8.x.2021 (2♀) ; 25.viii.2023 (2♀) ; 26.viii.2023 (2♀) ; 1.ix.2023 (1♀) ; 14.ix.2023 (2♀) . BEJA: Foros da Pereira, Vila Nova de Milfontes ( Odemira ; site: ca. 37°44’58.74”N 8°43’34.66”W, 79 m asl), 17.vii.2019, 3♀.

Other material (23♀♀; all specimens R. Matias leg.& coll., unless otherwise stated). PORTUGAL. SETÚBAL, Fonte da Telha plateau (Almada; alt. 73 m asl): 15.iv.2019 (1♀) ; 28.v.2019 (1♀) ; 17.vi.2019 (3♀) ; 21.vi.2019 (3♀) ; 27.vi.2019 (1♀) ; 5.vii.2019 (1♀) ; 20.v.2020 (1♀) ; 22.v.2020 (6♀) ; 27.v.2020 (2♀) ; 17.vi.2022 (1♀) ; 6.vii.2023 (1♀) . BEJA, Zambujeira do Mar (Odemira; alt. 68 m asl), 12.ix.2021 (1♀) . FARO: praia da Bordeira , Carrapateira (Aljezur), 29.vii.2016 (1♀), M. & E. Howe leg., MNHNCENT0041580 . Guia (Albufeira), 28.iv.2004 (1♀), D.W. Baldock leg., MNHNCENT0041581.

Intraspecific variation (n = 35, paratypes; Figs. 2–3 ). Body length 4.0–6.4 mm. Variation moderate, most evident on the following features. 1. Colour of integument. In general terms, specimens from most interior localities (Rosmaninhal, Alfrívida, serra da Nogueira, Miranda do Douro) palest, approaching holotype, those from coastwards localities (Carvoeira, Vila Nova de Milfontes) mostly darker on several structures. A) Dark pronotal band. Minimal darkening on the specimen from serra da Nogueira ( Fig. 2B ); on most specimens from Vila Nova de Milfontes and all from Carvoeira dark band reaches humeral angles, laterally extending to 10%, at most, of distance to pronotal spiracle on the former, and up to 40% on the latter, though still thin and with clear-cut limits over the red mesosoma. B) Scutellar scale. Apically darkened on most specimens; concolourous on five specimens. C) Legs. Uniformly orange-brown to reddish-brown, to variably darkened on coxae (procoxa darkest, brown to blackish) and femora (weakly darker to dark chestnut-brown); tibiae may be weakly darker distally. D) Pygidium ( Figs. 3A–L ). Black to dark-brown (rarely paler brown or basally reddish-brown), some specimens with diffuse, weakly paler, brown to reddish-brown apical band.

2. Pubescence. A) Pubescent spot of vertex. Varies in shade from bronzy, to golden, to silvery, with no apparent geographic influence; spot variably extends towards and over frons acutely, with other setae black to reddish black.

B) Mesosoma. Colour and structure of recumbent pubescence varies according to locality. On interior localities ( Miranda do Douro , serra da Nogueira, Alfrívida Rosmaninhal; n = 11) specimens closest to holotype: dorsum covered mostly with golden setae, with few dark-brown to blackish setae (1–10) on the posterior half and 0–8 on the propodeal posterior face; specimens from Vila Nova de Milfontes (n = 3) similar, but number of dark recumbent setae higher (ca. 7–25 over dorsum, ca. 4–14 on propodeum); specimens from Carvoeira (n = 21) with notably higher number of dark setae over dorsum, varying from ca. six to mostly covered with fine blackish setae (when golden setae as few as six). C) T2 apical band. Shape of anterior edge varies from smooth curve to medially weakly triangular; apicomedially most paratypes variably exhibit a dark setal spot, mostly large and conspicuous (ca. 10–30 or more blackish setae; n = 20), to small but well visible (ca. 5–9 blackish setae; n = 13), to rarely absent (none to 4 dark setae; n = 2; e.g. Fig. 2 C ); some specimens have browner colour to narrow medial longitudinal section, creating visual suggestion of gap. D) T3 . Band of pale pubescence apicomedially narrowed as on holotype on most paratypes (n = 30), occasionally fully interrupted to base by complete narrow to broad black gap, formed by black recumbent setae (n = 4; e.g. Figs. 2 A, 2 D, 2 F ), or rarely appearing almost continuous, without clear gap (n = 1, small specimen; Fig. 2 C ). E) T4 . Pubescence on sides of tergum mostly black, with number of whitish setae on one side variable from none (n = 5 specimens), 1–4 (n = 19), 5–8 (n = 8) to 12–14 setae (n = 3); specimens from Carvoeira had the fewest whitish setae on average. F) Felt-line on T2 . Composed of blackish to dark-brown short setae (slightly reflective; according to the angle of light may appear yellowish-brown to slightly golden); on some specimens sparsely overlapped anteriorly, over ca. 10–40% of its length, by longer whitish to pale golden recumbent setae; length ca. 0.2–0.4 × T2 lateral length.

3. Shape, structure and punctation. One specimen from Carvoeira (RMC1059: Fig. 2F ) is apparently aberrant, with exceptionally wide head and mesosoma at anterior spiracles. Head shape. Together with eye shape fairly uniform throughout the type series; sides behind eyes narrower on one of the smallest specimens ( Fig. 2C ). Mandible. Most specimens show some wear, affecting both mandible length and size and number of internal denticles; twelve paratypes show two well developed internal denticles (some weakly abraded), five show abraded mandible where one vestigial denticle is apparent (proximal denticle obliterated), 14 show no trace of denticles (notably abraded and somewhat shortened) and four present exceptionally shortened and abraded mandible. Mesosoma. Proportions similar to those of holotype, with trapezoidal shape slightly more marked on some specimens; width at pronotal spiracles ca. 1.10–1.15 × width at propodeum (scutellar scale level). Scutellar scale. Structured approximately as on holotype; on most specimens scale poorly delimited laterally and complex to measure, due to frequent continuity with adjacent raised interspaces (may thus appear as large); width of scale ca. 1.5–3 punctures (when continuous with interspaces width of whole structure reaches ca. five punctures), ca. 0.10–0.20 × mesosoma width at same level (raised interspaces excluded); shape subacute on one of the smallest specimens. Metasoma. Punctation of T2 similar to holotype on most specimens, with area between basomedial spot of pale pubescence and apical band varying from sparsely punctulate to more densely punctate-reticulate on a few specimens (interspaces of less of one puncture to three punctures). Pygidium ( Figs. 3A–L ). Sides strongly converging on a few specimens (e.g. Figs. 3E, 3F, 3J ), producing more markedly triangular shape than on holotype; pattern of striae on paratypes similar to that of holotype; lateral striae parallel to longitudinal axis or weakly divergent; number of striae lower on smaller individuals.

The coastal dune members (Fonte da Telha, Zambujeira do Mar, Carrapateira) have in common some features that distinguish them from other populations, and may eventually be recognized as a different species (research in progress); for this reason, these specimens are not here designated as paratypes. Among other characteristics, specimens from these populations have slenderer mandible with poorly developed second internal denticle, shorter head with more proeminent eyes, metasoma with more protruding T 1, T 2 laterally weakly angular (dorsal view); pubescence over mesosoma is silvery and denser, and T 4 bears a larger lateral pale spot (may be visible dorsally), felt-line is paler and conspicuous, pygidium has paler lateral setae; mesosoma of a darker shade of ferruginous-red and with broader black pronotal band (sometimes medially extended posterad), and paler S6 and pygidium.

Distribution. Portugal ( Fig. 4A ); potentially widespread south of Douro river and in Spain, given the geographical continuity.

Remarks. This species keys to Smicromyrme pusilla (now Physetopoda pusilla ), using the key by Giner Marí (1944), and would conform with the broad definition of Physetopoda pusilla Klug sensu André 1902 : i.e. with three spots of silvery pubescence over T2, but with pygidium basally broad, fully striated and laterally delimited by low carinae. The first three specimens of the type series, collected in 2001, were left unidentified (as they clearly did not belong to P. pusilla ) until a larger series was slowly obtained from various localities (since 2018), and the possibility they could represent potential variation of an already known species (e.g. S. sulcisius Invrea ) could also be ruled out. Photographic records of specimens in situ that may belong to this species are regularly divulged through citizen science websites (e.g. iNaturalist.org, biodiversidadvirtual.org); these unconfirmed records are scattered throughout most of the Iberian Peninsula, except for the north.

Habitat ( Fig. 5 ). Collection localities are tens to hundreds of kilometres apart, in different areas of Portugal, and in different habitats. These habitats can be broadly characterized as follows (from north to south): (1) Serra da Nogueira ( Fig. 5B ): open agricultural land bordering hills covered with dense and extensive well-preserved Pyrenean oak Quercus pyrenaica woodland, with diverse undergrowth; in sympatry with S. ceballosi ; (2) Miranda do Douro ( Fig. 5C ): termophilic plateau with granitic sandy soil and granitic outcrops; Mediterranean vegetation, including olm oak Quercus ilex (‘montado’) and kermes oak Q. coccifera , undergrowth dominated by French lavender Lavandula stoechas , broom ( Genista ), various grasses, dense moss over rocky ground; in sympatry with S. sulcisius , S. partitus and S. plantourianus ; (3) Rosmaninhal: dry open Mediterranean woodland with Cistus scrub; (4) Alfrívida (type locality; Fig. 5A ), ca. 30 km W from previous locality: low hills with dry open Mediterranean woodland (‘montado’), over loose sandy soil, composed mostly of olm oak (but also olive trees Olea europaea and occasional cork oak Q. suber ), with reduced understory including common gum cistus Cistus ladanifer , lavender Lavandula pedunculata and various grasses; in sympatry with S. partitus and S. sulcisius ; (5) Carvoeira ( Fig. 5D ): degraded Mediterranean woodland with dense undergrowth, sandy soil over sandstone; tree cover composed of cork oak, Portuguese oak Q. faginea , wild olive tree Olea europaea var. sylvestris and strawberry tree Arbutus unedo , with dense understory of kermes oak, mastic tree Pistacia lentiscus , rock roses Cistus spp. , gorse Ulex sp. , French lavender, white osyris Osyris alba , green heather Erica scoparia, Scotch heather Calluna vulgaris and various grasses; adjacent Eucalyptus sp. plantations; in sympatry with S. partitus , S. sulcisius and S. plantourianus ; (6) Vila Nova de Milfontes ( Fig. 5E ): open Mediterranean woodland (“montado”), over sandy soil, composed mostly of cork oak (with occasional maritime pine Pinus pinaster and adjacent plantations of Eucalyptus sp. ), with reduced understory ( Cistus sp. , Ulex sp. and various grasses); in sympatry with S. sulcisius and S. plantourianus .

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to the Spanish entomologist Francisco-Javier Suárez Egea (Almería 1926–1985). Suárez was one of the most preeminent World specialists on mutillid wasps and unfortunately left us at a young age, before he could further complete his work on the Iberian Mutillidae (of which he described several species, subspecies and forms). His many faunistical papers are still inspirational and a source of knowledge for those interested in mutillid wasps and Iberian fauna (see a biography and complete list of bibliography in Cobos 1985). In his writings there are suggestions that Suárez may have been aware of the existence of this species (or of a similar taxon) but he never described it (this aspect is developed in the Discussion section). Treat as a noun in the genitive case.

Comparison of the new species with other in genus Smicromyrme . Among Iberian species, Smicromyrme suarezi sp. nov. resembles most closely both S. partitus (Klug in Waltl) and S. sulcisius Invrea , the three species being sympatric in several of the collection localities.

The new species shares the same mandible structure ( Fig. 6 ) and general body shape as S. partitus . The pattern of pale pubescence of the metasoma ( Fig. 7 ) does not show, on fresh typical specimens, a true medial gap (a complete interruption of the pale pubescence bands) as shown by that species, but may show a suggestion of one; with more detail, the shape of the apical band of pale pubescence of T2 is obviously very different between these species, being of uniform width and with a complete medial gap in S. partitus , while it is continuous, despite medially shaded, slightly broader and subtriangular towards the medial line in the new species; however, the pattern of pale pubescence of T3 is comparable in both, with the pale pubescence around the gap being structured and oriented similarly; both halves touch each other anteriorly in S. suarezi sp. nov., while a true wider gap frequently exists in S. partitus . Furthermore, the pygidium is differently shaped and sculptured, frequently with coarser striations than those of S. partitus ; other details that separate it from that species are the colour of the mandible (closer to orange in the new species, most frequently red or dark-red in S. partitus ), the shape of the scutellar scale, typically wider in S. partitus (even continuous with adjacent raised interspaces), and spot of pale pubescence over vertex frequently more extensive than in S. partitus .

Although superficially similar to S. sulcisius , due to comparable chromatic pattern and a similarly sculptured pygidial area, both species are otherwise structurally very different. Importantly, they strongly differ in mandible shape ( Fig. 6 ): in the new species mandible is more robust, with a proportionately longer basal portion, distal element more curved towards apex, and with two larger inner denticles (in younger individuals), compared to being slender, with a shorter basal portion and straighter distal element, with one—sometimes two—inner smaller denticles in S. sulcisius ; the mandible is frequently worn or apically broken, and the shape and presence of internal teeth may thus be difficult to evaluate; on the mandible ventral face (i.e. the posterior face, if an hypognathous head is considered) the inner basal ridge is tendentially straight in S. sulcisius while it is sinuate, strongly curved inwards (as in S. partitus ) in the new species ( Fig. 6 ): this feature can be objectively evaluated even on worn individuals (in which the inner denticles are normally obliterated). Seen dorsally, the metasoma ( Fig. 7A ) of the new species is more globular (more elongated on S. sulcisius ), with shorter and broader T1 (clearly more elongated and narrower on S. sulcisius ), together with smaller and narrower scutellar scale (frequently large and notoriously wide, and darker on S. sulcisius ), smaller spot of pale pubescence over vertex (which extends acutely to frons and is denser on the sympatric examples of S. sulcisius observed), with sparser setae over the metasoma, which are mainly pale (whitish; being denser and containing many dark setae on S. sulcisius ); it also has proportionately shorter and less markedly trapezoidal mesosoma (dorsal view), which seen laterally has different shape: more levelled dorsally and flatter at the propodeum (in S. sulcisius it is slanted towards scutellar scale, and slightly more concave at the propodeal posterior face; Fig. 8F ); head is dorsally rounder ( S. sulcisius , typically, e.g. sensu Invrea 1958, with more triangular head); the pattern of pale pubescence of the metasoma is also different, the bands being continuous over T2 and T3, with a more marked, acute, anteromedial triangular shaped projection on the apical band of T2 on S. sulcisius .

Two other species in genus Smicromyrme may be compared to the new species, for completeness, that share the same pubescence pattern of three basal spots over T2: S. sicanus ( De Stefani, 1887) and S. trinotatus ( Costa, 1858) . The former is not known from the Iberian Peninsula, but occurs in France (e.g. Lelej 2002, Pagliano et al. 2020), thus may possibly be found in the peninsula in the future. The latter species has an uncertain status in the region: a female collected at Lloret de Mar, Girona, Spain, 28 August 1955, as syn. S. quadripunctata ( Lepeletier, 1845) ( Erlandsson, 1974: 31) is the only Iberian record potentially attributable to this species, to the best of the author’s knowledge, which otherwise is known from Corsica and Sardinia ( Pagliano et al. 2020). Both species (of which no specimens have been directly examined, but detailed photographs were observed [K. Williams]) have primarily in common with S. suarezi sp. nov. having three basal spots of pale pubescence over T2. However, S. sicanus has, among other features, a very differently shaped and sculptured pygidium, typically parallel sided, with parallel grooves and smooth apically (see e.g. Petersen 1988: 166, fig. 35). On the other hand, according to the original description of Costa (1858: 22, plate 22: fig. 5), S. trinotatus is distinguished by the colour of the integument (pronotum not darkened), absence of a large spot of pale pubescence on head and details of pubescence structure (e.g. no medial shortening of the pubescence band over T3, and apical band of T2 narrower all over with triangular broadening only medially); see also Invrea (1960: 147–150), for the redescription of S. quadripunctata Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau , synonymized by Pagliano & Strumia (2007: 97) with S. trinotatus .

No further currently known Iberian Smicromyrme species are similar to the new species. However, it needs to be compared with S. triangularis ( Radoszkowski, 1865) , which is known to occur in Europe, no closer than Czechia (e.g. Lelej & Schmid-Egger 2005, Pagliano et al. 2020), and is superficially similar (presenting e.g. also three well marked spots over T2) but has a different pattern of pale pubescence over T2 and T3, with fully continuous bands. No specimens of S. triangularis were examined directly; however, from the original description ( Radoszkowski, 1865) the following distinguishing features can be listed: the shape of the terminal band of T2 (which is acutely triangular), a white pubescent spot on each side of both T4 and T5 and pronotal area not darkened. In addition, from the detailed description of S. pouzdranensis Hoffer, 1936 (a junior synonym of S. triangularis according to Lelej & Schmid-Egger 2005, but possibly aberrant S. rufipes (Fabricius) in the opinion of Bogusch 2007) the following characteristics can be listed that do not agree with S. suarezi sp. nov.: mandible diferently shaped; antennal tubercles and clypeus light brown (contra mostly black in S. suarezi sp. nov.); legs all light brown (contra reddish); no black band over pronotum, only black setae (contra black pronotal band); thorax short, broad, square and nearly parallel sided (contra slightly broader pronotum); T1 with only black pubescence (contra with white setae); T2 with a narrow terminal band of white pubescence, strongly enlarged triangularly medially (contra relatively broad band not very enlarged medially); pygidium border distally undulated (contra pygidium border smooth); the white pubescence spots on the sides of T4 and T5, described and illustrated in Radoszkowski (1865: plate 7, fig. 16) are not mentioned by Hoffer (1936). Further comparisons with S. suarezi sp. nov. can be made with the figure of S. triangularis presented in József & Zoltán (2011: p. 184, fig. 187), where mesosoma visibly parallel sided, metasoma less globose, terminal band of T2 narrower and fully continuous (as the one over T3), alignment of the three spots over T2 slightly different (longer lateral spots), pubescence over vertex sparser and tarsi darker. Although there are similarities between both species, S. suarezi sp. nov. is thus demonstrably distinct.

No other currently known Iberian, European or North African Smicromyrme species can be considered similar.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Smicromyrme suarezi Matias sp. nov., female (paratypes), dorsal habitus, variation. A Miranda do Douro, 16.viii.2022 (RMC1705) B serra da Nogueira, 8.vii.2018 (RMC582) C Miranda do Douro, 18.viii.2022 (RMC1709) D Carvoeira, 14.viii.2018 (RMC593) E Carvoeira, 12.viii.2019 (RMC980) F Carvoeira, 7.ix.2019 (RMC1059) G Carvoeira, 8.ix.2019 (RMC1062) H Alfrívida, 30.vii.2019 (RMC902) I Vila Nova de Milfontes, 17.vii.2019 (RMC840) J Vila Nova de Milfontes, 17.vii.2019 (RMC842). Scale bar: 1 mm.

FIGURE 3. Smicromyrme suarezi Matias sp. nov., female, pygidium, variation (paratypes). A Alfrívida, 30.vii.2019 (RMC902) B Miranda do Douro, 18.viii.2022 (RMC1709) C Carvoeira, 14.viii.2018 (RMC593) D serra da Nogueira, 8.vii.2018 (RMC582) E Vila Nova de Milfontes, 17.vii.2019 (RMC840) F Vila Nova de Milfontes, 17.vii.2019 (RMC842) G Carvoeira, 12.viii.2019 (RMC980) H Rosmaninhal, 9.viii.2001 (RMC193) I Carvoeira, 7.ix.2019 (RMC1059) J Carvoeira, 8.ix.2019 (RMC1062) K Miranda do Douro, 16.viii.2022 (RMC1705) L Miranda do Douro, 18.viii.2022 (RMC1715). Scale bar: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 4. Occurrence of three Smicromyrme species in Portugal. A Smicromyrme suarezi Matias sp. nov. (black dots: type series; grey dots: ‘dune members’) B Smicromyrme partitus (Klug in Waltl) C Smicromyrme sulcisius Invrea. In 4B and 4C, black dots: RMC, blue dots: MNHNCENT. Localities are shown on UTM 10×10 km grid.

FIGURE 5. Habitat. A Alfrívida, type locality B serra da Nogueira C Miranda do Douro D Carvoeira E Vila Nova de Milfontes.

FIGURE 6. Mandible of three Smicromyrme species, ventral view. A, D Smicromyrme suarezi Matias sp. nov. (A: Alfrívida, 30.vii.2019, paratype, RMC902; D: Miranda do Douro, 16.viii.2022, paratype, RMC1705) B, E Smicromyrme partitus (Klug in Waltl) (B: Carvoeira, 25.iv.2022, RMC1565; E: Alfrívida, 29.vii.2019, RMC891a) C, F Smicromyrme sulcisius Invrea (C: Fonte da Telha, 27.vi.2019, RMC763; F: Miranda do Douro, 15.viii.2022, RMC1689). Legend: 1—inner basal ridge; 2—ventral groove. Scale bar: 0.1 mm (A–F).

FIGURE 7. Metasoma of three Smicromyrme species, dorsal view. A Smicromyrme suarezi Matias sp. nov. (paratype, RMC902) B Smicromyrme partitus (Klug in Waltl) (Carvoeira, 25.iv.2022, RMC1565) C Smicromyrme sulcisius Invrea (Miranda do Douro, 15.viii.2022, RMC1689). Scale bar: 0.5 mm (A–C).

FIGURE 8. Head (dorsal view) and mesosoma (lateral view) of three Smicromyrme species. A–B Smicromyrme suarezi Matias sp. nov. (holotype, ex-RMC922) C–D Smicromyrme partitus (Klug in Waltl) (Carvoeira, 25.iv.2022, RMC1565) E–F Smicromyrme sulcisius Invrea (Miranda do Douro, 15.viii.2022, RMC1689). Scale bar: 0.25 mm (A–F).

FIGURE1.SmicromyrmesuareziMatiassp.nov.,female,holotype,Alfrívida,31.vii.2019(ex-RMC922,MNHNCENT0050744). A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C lateral habitus D pygidium E antenna F scutellar scale G head, frontal view H head, lateral view I clypeus J pronotum, dorsal view K metasoma, lateral view. Scale bar: 1 mm (A–C), 0.2 mm (D), 0.25 mm (E–J), 0.5 mm (K).