Euglossa (Euglossella) decorata Smith

Hinojosa-Diaz, Ismael A. & Engel, Michael S., 2011, Revision of the orchid bee subgenus Euglossella (Hymenoptera, Apidae), Part I, The decorata species group, ZooKeys 140, pp. 27-69 : 41-47

Euglossa (Euglossella) decorata Smith Figs 35-46

Euglossa decorata Smith, F., 1874: 440-446 [444]. Holotype ♀ (NHML, visum).

Euglossa meliponoides Ducke, 1902: 569. Lectotype ♀ (MPEG, non visum, vide Comments infra), syn. n.

Euglossa (Euglossella) urarina Hinojosa-Díaz and Engel, 2007: 100-103. Holotype ♂ (FLMNH, visum), syn. n.

Material examined.

Colombia: "COLOMBIA: Caqueta;Yuruyaco, 73k. sw Flo-;rencia 17.i.1979 [day handwritten]; M. Cooper; B.M. 1979-106" (1♀) NHM L; five extra specimens with same collection data except for date "30.i1979[day handwritten]" (1♀) BMNH, "3.ii1979[day handwritten]" (1♀) NHML, "9.ii1979[day handwritten]" (1♂) NHML "13.ii1979[day handwritten]" (1♀) NHML; "primary forest [handwritten]; COLOMBIA:Putu-;mayo, Villa Garzón,; 8mi, s. Mocoa; 17 vii.1978[day handwritten]; M. Cooper; B.M. 1978-431" (1♀) NHML; same data except missing first handwritten line and different date "19.vii.1978[day handwritten]" (1♀) NHML; "COLOMBIA:Putu-;mayo, Mocoa; 10 vii.1978[day handwritten]; M. Cooper; B.M. 1978-431" (1♂) NHML; "Colombia: Putumayo,; Mocoa, 530 m, 10 I 2003; S. Ramírez 345, V" (1♂)FLMNH; same data except number on last line “348” (1♂) FLMNH, “349” (1♂) FLMNH; "Colombia; Amazonas; Leticia; 7 VI 1974 [handwritten]; 1554 [handwritten vertical on left margin]" (1♂, missing abdomen; glued abdomen in data label does not belong to the specimen)FLMNH; same data except date "7 VI 1974 [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Macarena Mts.; Colombia I-II-;1950. 500-650 m.; L. Bichter // Euglossa; decorata; Sm; Det. J.S. Moure 1952 [first three lines and last two digits of date handwritten]" (1♂)SEMC; same data except second label "Euglossa;decorata ♂; Sm; J.S. Moure 1963 [first three lines and last two digits of date handwritten]" (1♂) SEMC; "Villavicencia.; Columbia [Colombia]; V-28-42; W. Kamp [all label handwritten] // Euglossa; decorata; Sm; Det. J.S. Moure 1952 [first three lines and last two digits of date handwritten]" (1♂) SEMC.

Brazil: "Type; H.T. [type label, round with orange edge] // B.M. TYPE;HYM.; 17B.949 [handwritten] // Euglossa; decorata; St. Paulo: Smith. [all label handwritten] // St Paulo [underside handwritten]" (1♀) NHML; "R. Tapajós; Itaituba; 5.9.1902; Ducke [all label handwritten] // Euglossa ♂ typ.; meliponoides Ducke; det. A. Ducke. [first two lines handwritten] // Euglossa; singularis;Mocs.; Det.J.S. Moure 1957 [first three lines and last two digits of date handwritten] // Am. Mus. Nat. Hist.; Dept. Invert. Zool.; No.26003 [number handwritten] // Euglossa; meliponoides; Ducke [handwritten]" (1♂) AMNH; "Brasil Pará Con-; ceição do Araguala; 17-21 nov 1979 // Brasil Pará; W Frange" (1♀) MPEG; "Brasil; Para; 1920 [first two digit handwritten] // Euglossa; decorata; Sm.; ♂1909 Friese det. [first three lines and sex handwritten] // E. (Euglossa); decorata Sm.; J.S. Moure 57 [first two lines and two digits of date handwritten] // Am. Mus. Nat. Hist.; Dept. Invert. Zool.; No.28264 [number handwritten] (1♂) AMNH; "PA P de Pedras; 02-III-1979 [date handwritten] // Brasil Pará; P Tadeu" (1♀) MPEG; "OBIDOS; Pará BRASIL; IX-1953; F.M. Oliveira // COLECÃO; CAMPOS SEABRA [turned upside down]" (1♀) FLMNH; "TABATINGA; Amazonas BRASIL;Nov. [illegible] 1958 [date handwritten]; F.M. Oliveira // COLECÃO; CAMPOS SEABRA [underside] // decorata [handwritten]" (1♂) DZUP; "Tapuruquara - AM; Brasil VII-62; F.M. Oliveira leg" (1♂) FLMNH; "♂ // S. Gabriel; Rio Negro,; Amaz.; 27,VIII,1927; J.F. Zikán [vertical writing on left]" (1♂) FLMNH; “Belém Mocambo; 26.XII.1979 [handwritten except first two digits of year] // Brasil Pará; M F Torres" (1♀) MPEG; "Est. Ecol. do;Panga;12663 - 36987 // Uberlândia MG;BRASIL 04/02/1989;C. H. Marchini // F.90 10.12;42:89;Marchini, CH [underside, handwritten] // E. (Euglossella);decorata;Smith, 1874;Det. Camargo 1989 [first three lines and last digit of year handwritten]" (1♂) NHML.

Ecuador: "Mishaualli [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; 4/12/69 vanillin [handwritten] // E. singularis [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; same collection data except missing identification label (1♂) FLMNH; "Choluyaco 1/7/69 [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; vanillin [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "ECUADOR, Coca; on Rio Napo, Napo; Pastaza Prov.; V..1965 // L.E. Pena; Collector // Euglossa; (Euglossella); aff. singularis; det. J.S. Ascher" (1♂) AMNH; "ECUADOR: Mor.-Stgo.; E. Patuca; 27-31 Aug.;1987; Dressler, Hills,; Whitten, Williams // geraniol [underside]" (1♂) FLMNH; same data except second label "caryophylleus [unclear writing]; oxide 31" (1♂) FLMNH; "Ecuador, Orellana, Estacion; Cientifica Yasuni; to dead fish; in butterfly trap in jungle; on Sendero Napo Trail; 20Oct.; 2003;D. Robacker, W.Warfield;& M.H.Evans // Euglossa; singularis ♀; det. Claus Rasmussen 2004 [first two lines and last digit of year handwritten] // Euglossa; decorata ♀; det. Claus Rasmussen [first two lines and last digit of year handwritten]" (1♀) CRAS; "ECUADOR, Napo; September 1987; Dressler, Hills,; Whitten, Williams // vanillin" (1♂) FLMNH; same collection data without second label (1♀); "Via Tena [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; Nerol 1/6/1969 [handwritten] // E. decorata [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Rio Maya 1/6/1969 [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; Nerol [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Apuya 1/9/1969 [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; Geraniol [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Rio Cumayacu [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; Nerol 3/21/1969 [handwritten] // E. decorata [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Sarayacu 6/16/69 [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; Vanillin [handwritten]" (2♂♂) FLMNH; "Rio Hanzo [Anzu?] [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; Nerol 12/14/1968 [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Rio Porotoyacu [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; MS 3-17-69 [handwritten] // Euglossa; decorata Smith" (1♂) FLMNH; "Rio Pomayaco 8/24/69 [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; Citronellol [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Rio Anzo [Anzu?] 1/19/1969 [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui; Nerol [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Zazuyacu, Napo; Ecuador 2/12/1969;D. Velastegui; on flower [handwritten] // [second label hard to read, has some information in Spanish about the bee visiting a flower]" (1♂) FLMNH; "ECUADOR: Napo [second word handwritten]; Via Tena [handwritten]; 6 I 1969 [handwritten] // Nerol; D. Velastegui [underside, handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Satzayacu [handwritten]; Napo, Ecuador;D. Velastegui // vanillin; 9 XII 1969 [underside handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Ecuador: Pastaza; nr. Puyo 2 XI 1981; N. H. Williams // 11 [handwritten] // vanillin [underside]" (1♂) FLMNH; "Ecuador: Zamora-Ch.,; Ecuagenera, Pangüí; Williams & Whitten // at Geonoma, Whitten; 2480, QCA; 3 oct. 2003, [underside]" (1♂) FLMNH; "ECUADOR Oriente; 00°24'S, 76°36'W; Limoncocha; 25 July 1970; M. G. Naumann // Euglossa; decorata F. Smith; Det. R.L.Dressler, 1987" (1♀) SEMC.

Peru: "Iquitos; Peru // 8 Sept 64; C H Dodson // On Gongora ; maculata;2734 // Euglossa decorata Smith // HOLOTYPE; Euglossa; urarina; I.A. Hinojosa-Díaz;& M.S. Engel [red type label]" [first three labels handwritten] (1♂) FLMNH; "Iquitos; Peru // 8 Sept 64; H Moore 20May65 // Gongora maculata ;20May65; Helen Moore [underside]// PARATYPE; Euglossa; urarina; I.A. Hinojosa-Díaz;& M.S. Engel [yellow label]" [first three labels handwritten] (1♂) SEMC; "Iquitos; Peru // 31 Dec 64; C H Dodson // On Gongora ;2771 // 70 // Euglossa ; decorata Smith; det. R.L. Dressler 1968" [first four labels handwritten] (1♂); "Iquitos, Peru; F 606 [number handwritten // H. Bassier; Collection; Acc. 33591 // Euglossa; meliponoides; Ducke; Det. J.S. Moure 1952 [first three lines and last two digits of date handwritten] // Euglossa; singularis♀; Mocs.; J.S. Moure 1962 [first three lines and last two digits of date handwritten] // Euglossa; singularis;Mocs. (1♀) SEMC; "Lower Rio Tapiche,; Peru I.5.24 [date handwritten]; F 6/54 [numbers handwritten] // H. Bassier; Collection; Acc. 33591 // E. (Euglossa); singularis; Mocs.; J.S. Moure 57 [first three lines and digits of date handwritten]" (1♂) AMNH; "Peru, LO, Maynas,; Varillal; C.R.I. - km 15; 28 vi01Rasmussen [day handwritten] // vanillin // HYM; Euglossa; singularis; det. C. Rasmussen, 2002 [first two lines handwritten]" (1♂) CRAS; "PERU, SM, Tarapoto-; Yurimaguas, km 20; “BIODIVERSIDAD”; 0634/7620 950 masl; IV-VI.2002 C.Rasmussen // Euglossa sp.; decorata? ♀; Det. Claus Rasmussen, 2002 [first two lines handwritten]" (1♀) CRAS; "PERU, Huánuco:; Tingo Mario [ María], Rio; Huallaga, July 9,1974; C. Porter & L. Stange // Euglossa (Euglossella); decorata Smith, 1874; det. J.S. Ascher" (1♀) AMNH; " Carlos Atachahua E.; 30 April 87; Tingo Maria, Peru // Vanillin // E. decorata [handwritten]" (1♂) FLMNH.

Diagnosis.

Both sexes with labiomaxillary complex in repose reaching tip of metasoma, but not surpassing it (Figs 36, 38, 40); head integument brown (variable, see comments), with a varying degree of dominant green iridescence evident on clypeus (Fig. 41); integument of mesosoma colored as head, mesoscutellum partially (see comments) light brown with diminished iridescence (Figs 35, 37, 39); metasoma generally orange-brown, terga usually darker posteriorly, coppery-golden hue all over (Figs 35-40); malar area length on average 0.20 the basal mandibular width; male mesotibial tufts appearing fused (except for a distal separation), posterior tuft teardrop shaped (Fig. 41); male metatibia scalene obtuse triangular (Fig. 45).

Description.

♂: Structure. Total body length 11.43 mm (10.30-12.59; n=7); labiomaxillary complex in repose reaching (or at most slightly exceeding) posterior tip of metasoma (Figs 36, 38). Head length 2.67 mm (2.59-2.78; n=7), width 4.63 mm (4.52-4.81; n=7); upper interorbital distance 2.28 mm (2.13-2.37; n=7); lower interorbital distance 1.99 mm (1.93-2.15; n=7); upper clypeal width 1.08 mm (1.04-1.26; n=7); lower clypeal width 1.94 mm (1.85-2.11; n=7); clypeal protuberance 0.71 mm (0.67-0.74; n=7); clypeal ridges, labral ridges and labral windows as described for Euglossa aurantia ; labrum slightly wider than long, length 1.05 mm (0.98-1.11; n=7), width 1.11 mm (1.06-1.19; n=7); interocellar distance 0.27 mm (0.22-0.30; n=7); ocellocular distance 0.70 mm (0.67-0.81; n=7); first flagellomere as long [0.49 mm (0.44-0.54; n=7)] as second and third flagellomeres combined [0.48 mm (0.44-0.52; n=7)]; length of malar area 0.17 mm (0.15-0.22; n=7). Mandible tridentate. Pronotal lateral angle as described for Euglossa aurantia ; intertegular distance 3.37 mm (3.33-3.48; n=7); mesoscutal length 2.80 mm (2.70-2.96; n=7); mesoscutellar length 1.31 mm (1.19-1.41; n=7); posterior margin of mesoscutellum evenly convex (Figs 35, 37); mesotibial length 2.37 mm (2.30-2.44; n=7); mesobasitarsal length 2.42 mm (2.37-2.52; n=7), width 0.71 mm (0.67-0.74; n=7); posterior keel as described for Euglossa aurantia ; metatibial shape as described for Euglossa aurantia , metatibial anterior margin length 3.57 mm (3.26-3.70; n=7), ventral margin length 2.21 mm (2.00-2.37; n=7), postero-dorsal margin length 4.32 mm (3.85-4.67; n=7), maximum metatibial thickness 1.24 mm (1.11-1.33; n=7); metatibial organ slit as described for Euglossa aurantia (Fig. 45); basal section of metatibial organ slit length 0.58 mm (0.48-0.67; n=7); metabasitarsal length 2.48 mm (2.37-2.59; n=7), mid-width 0.85 mm (0.81-0.96; n=7); metabasitarsal ventral border truncate. Forewing length 9.36 mm (8.67-10.15; n=7); jugal comb with 12-14 (n=7) blades; hind wing with 20-23 (n=7) hamuli. Maximum metasomal width 4.57 mm (4.44-4.74; n=7); second metasomal sternum integumental modifications as described for Euglossa aurantia .

Coloration. Head integument brown, frons with cyan iridescence on frontal fringe area, clypeus with green iridescence, other areas with some coppery-cyan hue (see comments); ivory areas as in Euglossa aurantia , except lower width of paraocular marks in several specimens extending all the length of lateral parts of clypeus (Fig. 41). Mesosoma brown, mesoscutellum with at least some light brown integument usually towards posterior margin (see comments), olive-green(dominant)/coppery iridescence on mesoscutum, coppery on episternum (Figs 35-36); legs brown (variable, see comments), with a similar pattern as in Euglossa aurantia (Figs 36-38); tegulae and wings as described for Euglossa aurantia (Figs 35-38). Metasomal terga in most specimens (see comments) orange-brown, terga turning darker on poster section, sterna generally orange-brown, coppery-golden hue all over metasoma (Figs 35-38).

Sculpturing. As described for Euglossa aurantia (vide supra).

Vestiture. General vestiture as described for Euglossa aurantia .

Terminalia. Hidden sterna and capsule as described for Euglossa apiformis , lateral section of gonostylus variable, ranging from flat dorsal sector to large projections (Figs 33, 34).

♀: Structure. Total body length 11.30 mm (10.96-11.56; n=5); labiomaxillary complex in repose reaching approximately posterior margin of third metasomal sternum (Fig. 40). Head length 2.90 mm (2.78-3.04; n=5); head width 4.86 mm (4.74-4.96; n=5); upper interorbital distance 2.53 mm (2.44-2.63; n=5); lower interorbital distance 2.30 mm (2.26-2.37; n=5); upper clypeal width 1.20 mm (1.15-1.26; n=5); lower clypeal width 2.19 mm (2.15-2.26; n=5); clypeal protuberance 0.61 mm (0.52-0.67; n=5); medial and paramedial clypeal ridge well developed; labrum rectangular, wider than long, length 1.15 mm (1.07-1.19; n=5), width 1.24 mm (1.19-1.30; n=5); labral ridges and windows as in male; anterior edge of labrum arched outwards; interocellar distance 0.32 mm (0.30-0.33; n=5); ocellocular distance 0.78 mm (0.74-0.81; n=5); length of first flagellar article [0.50 mm (0.48-0.52; n=5)] equal to combined lengths of second and third flagellar articles [0.50 mm (0.47-0.52; n=5)]; length of malar area 0.17 mm (0.15-0.19; n=5). Mandible tridentate. Pronotal lateral angle as in male; intertegular distance 3.65 mm (3.56-3.78; n=5); mesoscutal length 2.95 mm (2.89-3.00; n=5); mesoscutellar length 1.40 mm (1.33-1.48; n=5); posterior border of mesoscutellum as in male (Fig. 39); mesotibial length 2.36 mm (2.30-2.44; n=5); mesobasitarsal length 2.27 mm (2.22-2.30; n=5), maximum width 0.75 mm (0.70-0.81; n=5); metatibia triangular; metatibial anterior margin length 3.27 mm (3.04-3.44; n=5); metatibial ventral margin length 1.93 mm (1.74-2.00; n=5); metatibial postero-dorsal margin length 3.64 mm (3.26-3.78; n=5). Forewing length 9.23 mm (8.74-9.70; n=5); hind wing with 21-22 hamuli. Maximum metasomal width 5.13 mm (4.96-5.26; n=5).

Coloration. In general as described for male but with a stronger coppery-cyan hue on face and metasoma. Paraocular marks absent; ivory coloration on mandible restricted to proximal one-third, antennal scape with yellow spot occupying most of antero-lateral surface although noticeably narrower than in male (Fig. 42).

Sculpturing. As described for male except mesepisternum with punctures not as dense (separated by about one puncture diameter).

Vestiture. As described for male (see comments); mesoscutellar tuft rhomboid, composed of dense, fulvous and/or brown (see comments), erect, thick, multibranched (branches minute) setae (Fig. 39). Mesotibia with a streak of spur-like, dark brown setae on posterior and ventral edges; metatibial corbicula surrounded by long, dark brown setae. Mesial sections of all sterna nearly bare.

Comments.

Smith (1874) described Euglossa decorata from a female labeled as from "St. Paulo", and referred to its habitat as "St. Paulo (Brazil)". Moure (1967) referred to the type locality as São Paulo de Olivença in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, which was repeated in Moure et al. (2007) [it is well known that old uses of S. Paulo refer to a locality in the Amazon and not today’s State or Municipality in southern Brazil: e.g., Papavero (1971)]. The majority of the specimens here examined are from the Amazon Basin, which agrees with the locality interpretation of the latter authors. Several of the distinctive features of the species are male features (as with most Euglossa s. lat.); however, the females are recognized also for the prevalence of green iridescence on the clypeus and the evenly convex mesoscutellar posterior margin. The original description of Euglossa decorata var. ruficauda by Cockerell (1918) assumed the female holotype of that variety to be conspecific with Euglossa decorata most likely based on coloration, which is in fact very similar in both specimens; however, as discussed later, Euglossa decorata ruficauda is here synonymized with Euglossa singularis . Euglossa meliponoides was synonymized with Euglossa singularis both by Cockerell (1918) and by Moure (1967), most likely based on the dark coloration of the specimens used in the description of these two species; however, the male of Euglossa meliponoides here examined and belonging to the type series exhibits the morphological features of Euglossa decorata , notably the mesotibial posterior tuft of the male. Interestingly, Ducke (1902),when providing the original description of Euglossa meliponoides , noted that his species wasvery likely just a dark variety of Euglossa decorata , but proposed the name in the absence of intermediate specimens in terms of coloration. The surviving holotype is a female and provides no useful characters for identification beyond color. However, we examined the paratype male from the same collecting event which clearly demonstrates the taxon to be a synonym. Given that the male exhibits more useful characters it might be worth petitioning the ICZN to have Ducke’s holotype set aside in favor of his male paratype, thereby even more strongly clarifying the status of the epithet meliponoides. Hinojosa-Díaz and Engel (2007) described Euglossa urarina as a new species in the decorata group addressing particularities in the male genitalia, more specifically the lateral section of the male gonostylus having a prominent dorsal projection; otherwise the specimens used by those authors had external features just like any other male of Euglossa decorata . As more specimens have been available for dissection of the genital capsule, it has come clear that the morphology of the lateral section of the gonostylus is highly variable in Euglossa decorata , ranging from simple non-projected (besides the ventral lobe), to abruptly projected as seen in the specimens described as Euglossa urarina (the same variation has been observed for Euglossa apiformis ). There is no pattern of covariation with other external characters in the male that indicates at the moment a possible species-specific morphology of the gonostylus. The same can be said in terms of coloration. There is a broad range of color variation across the specimens examined for Euglossa decorata , most of them bearing the distinctive pattern of the holotype, with a rather golden-yellow to orange metasoma; however, all possible intermediates can be found between this and the very dark specimens from Loreto, Peru (Figs 37-38); specimens on the west range of the species seem to be darker, although not as dark as the Peruvian ones. It must be noted that wherever dark specimens occur there are also some light ones in the same habitat, and there is no major morphological difference among these. The extent of the lighter brown (turning yellowish) coloration on the mesoscutellum is also quite variable, some specimens having the whole mesoscutellum uniformly light brown or yellow (like the holotype), others having this coloration restricted to the marginal posterior edge. The vestiture color also exhibits a range of variation, correlated with the integumental coloration. The length of the labiomaxilalry complex in Euglossa decorata reaches the tip of the metasoma, although some females, most notably the specimen here examined from Minas Gerais, Brazil have a noticeably shorten labiomaxillary complex. Given that we could find no further distinguishing evidence, it is assumed here that these females belong to Euglossa decorata although we note that further review of new evidence could reveal largely cryptic species requiring recognition.