Patellapis (Chaetalictus) upembae, Kuhlmann, Michael & Pauly, Alain, 2010

Kuhlmann, Michael & Pauly, Alain, 2010, New Afrotropical species of the bee subgenus Patellapis (Chaetalictus) with notes on additional species (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Zootaxa 2674, pp. 33-50 : 44-46

Patellapis (Chaetalictus) upembae sp. n.

( Figs. 7 a–f; 8a–g)

Diagnosis. The male is unique among the subgenus Chaetalictus in having a row of 11 long erect bristles, reminiscent of a fan, and only occupying the medio-posterior margin of S4 (other species either have no bristles or bristles are arranged in a more extensive row of bristles not restricted to the medial region and not arranged in a fan). The disc of S3 is sparsely covered with short but distinctly branched hairs ( Fig. 7 f). Among the other isolated species of the subgenus the female is characterized by the strongly elongate face ( Fig. 8 b) that is either not or only weakly elongate in other species.

Description. Female. Bl = 6.4–6.6 mm. General habitus ( Fig. 7 a). Head. L = 1.9–2.0 mm; W = 1.6–1.7 mm. Head longer than wide ( Fig. 7 b). Integument black except mandible sometimes partly dark reddishbrown. Face partly shiny and with sparse, greyish, erect hairs. Mandible with subapical tooth. Clypeus and supraclypeal area strongly convex in profile. Clypeus moderately strongly and sparsely punctate and without a median depression; surface polished and shiny. Clypeoantennal distance 0.4 mm. Supraclypeal area with a few, small punctures; punctures well separated; surface polished and shiny. Paraocular area relatively sparsely punctate; surface polished and shiny. Antenna brownish-black. Mesosoma. L = 2.1–2.3 mm; ITS = 1.3–1.5 mm. Integument black or dark reddish-brown. Mesoscutum slightly dull; surface completely reticulate and disc densely punctate (i = 1.0–1.5d) ( Fig. 7 c). Scutellum as illustrated in Fig. 7 d. Mesoscutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum with whitish to dark brownish, erect hairs. Basal area of propodeum as illustrated in Fig. 7 d; propodeum and marginal region of posterior truncation shiny and finely shagreened; propodeum impunctate. Wings. Brownish fuscous. Legs. Integument brownish-black. Vestiture whitish to greyish. Ts serrate; with 5 long and strong, oblique projections. Bp as illustrated ( Fig. 7 f). Metasoma. L = 3.4–3.6 mm; W = 1.8–1.9 mm. Integument black except the margins of T dark reddish-brown and slightly translucent. No apical hair bands present but on basal parts of T2–T3 laterally small white hair patches. Prepygidial fimbria dark brown. Metasomal terga as illustrated in Fig. 7 e.

Male. Bl = 6.2–6.4 mm. General habitus ( Fig. 8 a). Head. L = 1.9–2.0 mm; W = 1.5–1.6 mm. Head longer than wide ( Fig. 8 b). Integument black except mandible and clypeus partly dark reddish-brown. Clypeus, supraclypeal area, paraocular area and vertex sparsely covered with erect, greyish to brownish hairs. Mandible simple. Antenna dark brown. Flagellomeres of normal structure (not medially thickened). A2 as long as A1. Mesosoma. L = 2.0– 2.1 mm; ITS = 1.1–1.2 mm. Integument mostly black, partly dark reddish-brown. Mesoscutum slightly dull; surface completely reticulate and disc densely punctate (i = 1.0–1.5d) ( Fig. 8 c). Scutellum as illustrated in Fig. 8 d. Mesoscutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum with whitish to brownish, erect hairs. Basal area of propodeum as illustrated in Fig. 8 d; propodeum slightly shiny; surface sculptured and impunctate. Propodeum and marginal region of posterior truncation shiny and finely shagreened. Wings. Brownish fuscous. Legs. Integument brownish. Vestiture whitish. Metasoma. L = 2.9– 3.1 mm; W = 1.5–1.6 mm. Integument blackish to dark reddish-black without distinct, translucent posterior margins ( Fig. 8 e). Apical plate broadly rounded apically. Posterior margin of S4 medially with a row of 11 long, erect bristles, reminiscent of a fan; S4 laterally with long, branched, giant setae. Disc of S3 sparsely covered with short but distinctly branched hairs. Disk of S6 with distinct V-shaped hair patch, tip of which is directed anteriorly ( Fig. 8 f). Genitalia. Genitalia unknown because specimens are too brittle for dissection.

Type material (5 specimens). Holotype, male, Democratic Republic of the Congo, P.N.U. (= Parc National de l’Upemba), Kabwoe sur Muye, 1320 m [S8°48´E26°51´], 13-14.V.1948, Mis. G.F. de Witte, 1603a, RMCA.

Paratypes: 3Ƥ, 13. Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2Ƥ, 13, P.N.U. (= Parc National de l’Upemba), Mbuye Bala, 1750 m [S8°54´E26°54´], 1-7.IV.1948, Mis. G.F. de Witte, 1500a, RMCA, RCKL; 1 Ƥ, P.N.U., river Kilalamatambo, affluent Lusinga [unidentified locality], 17-VII-1945, G.F. de Witte, 222-230, RMCA.

Etymology. This species is named after the Parc National de l’Upemba. Distribution. Only known from the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Floral visitation. Unknown.

Seasonal activity (first–last observations). iv–vii.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Patellapis (Ch.) upembae sp. n., female: a. Body; b. Head; c. Scutum; d. Scutellum and propodeum; e. Metasomal terga; f. Basitibial plate. Scale bar = 1 mm.

FIGURE 8. Patellapis (Ch.) upembae sp. n., male: a. Body; b. Head; c. Scutum; d. Scutellum and propodeum; e. Metasomal terga; f. Metasomal sterna. Scale bar = 1 mm.