Leurotrigona muelleri ( Friese, 1900 )

Pedro, Silvia R. M. & Camargo, João M. F., 2009, Neotropical Meliponini: the genus Leurotrigona Moure — two new species (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Apinae), Zootaxa 1983, pp. 23-44 : 34-38

Leurotrigona muelleri ( Friese, 1900) , auctorum

( Figs. 18–20 , 21–25 , 26 ; Tab. I).

Melipona lilliput Müller, 1874: 103 [nom. nud.]; Müller 1875: 41 –55; Dalla Torre 1896: 580; Schwarz 1932: 244, 245, 246, 427.

Trigona muelleri Friese, 1900: 386 ; Ducke 1910a: 53 (partim); 1910b: 109; Cockerell 1911: 286; Marianno 1911: 120; Ihering, 1912: 45; 1930: 709; Kerr 1948: 239; Moure 1950 a: 73; Ihering 2002: 336.

Melipona muelleri ; Ducke 1916: 25, 32, 49, 87–88; 1925: 340, 342, 347, 360.

Melipona liliput [sic]; Müller 1921: 247 , 259, 306, 320; Nogueira-Neto 1966: 381.

Trigona (Hypotrigona) muelleri ; Schwarz 1938: 502; 1940: 10; 1948: 4, 23, 51, 172; Cunha 1973: 28, figures 2–7; 1991: 37, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 50.

Hypotrigona (Leurotrigona) muelleri ; Moure 1950 b: 244, 252–253; 1951: 33; Sakagami 1966: 152, 153; Sakagami & Zucchi 1966: 287; 1974: 361, 362, 377–396, 418; Sakagami et al. 1973: 185; 1983: 106.

Trigona (Trigonulla) [sic] muelleri ; Kerr 1960: 386.

Trigona (Leurotrigona) muelleri ; Kerr & Esch 1965: 534; Kerr 1967: 1331; 1969: 132, 134, 141, 154, 166.

Hypotrigona müllerii [sic]; Akahira & Beig 1967: 165, 180.

Trigonisca muelleri ; Nogueira-Neto 1970: 51, 54; Michener 1990: 98, 103, 131, 132; 2000: 804; 2007: 829.

Leurotrigona muelleri ; Nogueira-Neto 1970: 290; 1992: 18; 1997: 48, 210, 226, 383, 428; Kerr 1972: 99; Kerr & Silveira 1972: 197, 198; Velthuis 1976: 36, 38; Imperatriz-Fonseca 1977: 171; 1978: 155, 160; Naves da Silva 1977: 88; Sakagami 1982: 364, 365, 372, 373, 420; Camargo 1988: 356; Moure et al. 1988: 145, 146, 149, 150, 151; Cruz- Landim & Mota 1990: 587; Bego et al. 1991: 121, 122, 125; Pedro & Camargo 1991: 403, 407, 412; 1999: 201; Campos 1992: 58; Pompolo 1992: 64; 1994: 144; Silveira et al. 1993: 599; 2002: 88; Martins 1994: 235; Pedro 1994: 253; 1996: 250; Castanheira & Contel 1995: 369; Engels et al. 1995: 200; Pompolo & Campos 1995: 181 –184; Silveira & Campos 1995: 377; Faria & Camargo 1996: 227; Wilms et al. 1996: 140; Michener 1990: 33; Viana et al. 1997: 213, 214, 215, 217; Inoue et al. 1999: 217; Cruz-Landim 2000: 83, 84, 85, 87; Matos et al. 2000: 99, 101; Faustino et al. 2002: 113; Rocha et al. 2002: 25; 2003: 316, 319; Silveira et al. 2002: 88; Aguiar & Martins 2003: 213; Rebêlo et al. 2003: 269; Tóth et al. 2003: 366; Nieh 2004: 168; Castro 2005: 40; Cruz-Landim et al. 2006: 166, 169; Hartfelder et al. 2006: 154; Camargo & Pedro 2007: 314 –316.

Leurotrigona (Leurotrigona) muelleri ; Machado 1971: 629, 630.

Trigona (Trigonisca) muelleri ; Wille & Michener 1973: 11, 20, 44, 55, 66; Michener 1974: 154, 206; Wille 1983: 55.

Hypotrigona muelleri ; Velthuis 1976: 49.

Trigonisca (Leurotrigona) muelleri ; Michener & Roubik 1993: 256.

Leurotrigona mulleri [sic]; Sakagami et al. 1993: 243; Imperatriz-Fonseca et al. 1997: 119; Tóth et al. 2004: 5, 6.

Leurotrigona mülleri [sic]; Imperatriz-Fonseca & Zucchi 1995: 235, 236; Drumond et al. 1996: 395.

Plebeia muelleri ; Nieh & Roubik 1995: 64.

Leurotrigona müller [sic]; Costa 2002: 94.

Diagnosis. Worker ( Figs. 18, 20 ; Tab. I). Head width, 1.00–1.20 mm; silvery gray scale-like hairs of clypeus and parocular area, broadened, branched, extending to frons ( Fig. 18 ); pubescence on posterior region of propodeal spiracle dense and plumose, reaching about 2/3 or more toward base of coxa III; malar space long, 2x the diameter of fl.3 ( Fig. 18 ); clypeus relatively long, about 1/2 of its maximum width and 1/4 of clypeocellar distance; integument of upper gena smooth, devoid of tessellation; posterior margin of tibia III slightly arched; posterior parapenicillum curved ( Fig. 20 ); keirotrichiate area on inner surface of tibia III uniform.

Male ( Figs. 19 , 21–25 ). SVI of male with deeply emarginated area medially, flanked by long setae recurved at apex ( Fig. 21 ); median projection of SVII broadened and deeply emarginated apically ( Fig. 22 ); gonostylus with 3 very long setae apically ( Figs. 24, 25 )

Type material. Holotype, worker, from Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, Virgil leg. Depository museum unknown (cf. Camargo & Pedro 2007).

Additional material examined. PERU. Madre de Dios: Tambopata Jungle Lodge, S12 49.456, W69 24.163, 225 m.a.s.l., 9-20.X.2001, C. Rasmussen leg. (1w); BRAZIL. Rondônia: Buritis, oeste de Buritis, 10°09’07,0”S, 63°55’41,5”W, 10.IX.1997, Brown, Boina, Vieira (1w, RO-14433, RPSP); Campo Novo, BR- 421/Rio Jaci-Paraná, 11.IX.1997, 10°26’13,0”S, 64°07’36,1”W, 11.IX.1997. Brown, Boina, Vieira leg. (2w, RO-14240, RO-14243, RPSP); ibidem, idem, BR-421, oeste de C.N., 10°27’06,1”S – 63°51’52,8”W, 11.IX.1997 (1w, RO-14343, RPSP); Cujubim, Linha 14, 09 °20,154’S, 62°33,110’W, 24.III.1997, Brown, Boina, Vieira (2w, RO-6691, RPSP); ibidem, idem, Linha 46 a Machadinho, 09°24,606’S, 62° 33,479W, 25.III.1997 (1w, RO-7076, RPSP); Guajará-Mirim, S 10°33,751’ W 64°45,463’, 09.IX.1996, Brown, Boina, Vieira leg. (19w, 726, 727, 729–732, 735, 736, 739, 763, 765, 767–770, 773, 775, 778, 779, RPSP); ibidem, idem, S 10°33,751’ W 64°45,463’, 10.IX.1996 (3w, 567, 666, 671, RPSP); ibidem, idem, S10° 33,338 W 64°45,596’, 11.IX.1996 (1w, 418, RPSP); ibidem, idem, S 10°19,434’ W 64°33,849’, 11.IX.1996 (1w, 1521, RPSP); ibidem, idem, S 10°19,440’ W 64°46,775’, 12.IX.1996, (1w, 338, RPSP); ibidem, idem, S 10°49,464’ W 64°54,282’, 09.X.1996 (1w, 1796, RPSP); Nova Mamoré, S 10°19,434’ W 64°33,849’, 08.IX.1996, Brown, Boina, Vieira (2w, 837, 1029, RPSP); ibidem, idem, S 10°19,440’ W 64°46,775’, 12.IX.1996 (8w, 196, 248, 249, 330, 336, 337, 339, 342, RPSP); ibidem, idem, S 10°23,832’ W 65°00,467’, 13.IX.1996 (1w, 94, RPSP); Ouro Preto, Linha 16, 10 °49’09,9”S – 62°23’45,5”W, 27.IX.1996, Brown, Boina, Vieira (1w, RO-2707, RPSP). Tocantins: Itacajá, 45 km SE, Reserva Krahó – Galheiros, Sc-23, 47 °22’W, 8°29’S, 17–21.I.1993, Camargo, Tavares, Pedro leg. (7w, 930381, 930970, 930976, 930989, 930994, 931231, 931293, RPSP); ibidem, idem (3m, 29w pinned, 17w fixed, nest 496c, RPSP). Paraíba: Mamanguape, Reserva Biológica, Guaribas, 16.V.1999, A. J. C. Aguiar leg., 404 (1w, 0 0 0 430, RPSP). Mato Grosso: Barra do Garças, 21.I.1971, Camargo leg. (6w, RPSP); Serra das Araras, SD-21, 57 °14’W, 15°27’S, 19–27.IX.1987, Gimenes leg. (6w, 870957, 870962, 870963, 870964, 870969, 870970, RPSP); Nova Mutum, Fazenda Buriti, Estrada da Roda D’água, 13°49’S, 56°04’W, 7.XII.1997, H. Mendes leg. (25w, 980082–980084, 980089, 980110, 980118, 980126, 980128, 980135, 980148, 980151, 980155, 980162, 980176–980177, 980180, 980181, 980183–980185, 980187, 980189, 980194–980196, RPSP); Nova Xavantina, 23.VII.1995, E. S. Lima leg. (2w, 952010, 952011, RPSP). Goiás: Aragarças, 13.I.1971, Camargo leg. (6w, RPSP). Mato Grosso do Sul: Três Lagoas, VI.1965, Kerr, Zucchi leg. (16w, RPSP). Minas Gerais: Bonfinópolis de Minas, 17.IV.1999, M. Mazucato leg. (6w, 000657–000662, RPSP); Ituiutaba, 18.III.1999, Muniz, C. F., 8A (1w, 992582, RPSP); Lontra, 44°18’W, 15°6’S, 23.VII.1988, M. Mazucato leg. (1w, 881684, RPSP); Mandaçaia, 42°43W, 16°57’S, 18.VII.1990, M. Mazucato leg. (23w, 900750, 900743–900749, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 22,23. VII.1989 (1w, 890215, RPSP); Passos, 6-10.XI.1961, Claudionor Elias leg. (2w, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 13–18.XI.1961, (4w, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 1–3.XI.1962 (5w, RPSP); Pedra de Maria da Cruz, 44°23’, 15°36’S, 22.VII.1988, M. Mazucato leg. (75w, 882014, 881552, 881545–881551, 881533–881544, 881637–881641, RPSP); Posses, SE-23, 42 °44’W, 17°0’S, 17.VII.1994, Mazucato leg. (2w, 941008, 941009, RPSP); Serra do Cipó, 43°35’W, 19°18’S, 09.XI.1990, Faria, Mazucato leg. (19w, 901176–901194, RPSP); Turmalina, 42°44’W, 17°17’S, 23.VII.1990, M. Mazucato leg. (3w, 900675–900677, RPSP); Vargem Bonita, 23.I.1984, M. Mazucato (7w, 840483, 840484, RPSP); Uberlândia, 07.VI.2004, Kerr leg. (5w, 0 40107, 0 40111, RPSP). São Paulo: Cajuru, Fazenda Santa Carlota, 15.VII.1988, Mateus, S. leg. (6w, 881698, 881701–881705, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 02.VI.1988, N18 (10w, 901058, 901059, 901060, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 28.VII.1988, N41 (6w, 901061, 901061, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 28.VII.1988, N42 (6w, 901063, 901064, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 09.IX.1993 (63m, 937047–937109, RPSP); Luis Antonio, Estação Ecológica Jataí, IX.2005, Camargo & Pedro leg. (4w, RPSP); Pedregulho, 20°09’S, 47°34’W, 06.VI.2003, Camargo, Pedro, Tavares, Carvalho leg. (3w, 030581 – 030583, RPSP); Ribeirão Preto, SF-23, 48-21d, 1.XI.1972, M. Mazucato leg. (1m, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 6.VIII.1974 (2w, RPSP); ibidem idem, 22.III.1977 (1w, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 24.XI.1978 (1w, RPSP); ibidem, idem, 22.XII.1978 (3w, RPSP); ibidem, 25.II.1969, Kerr leg. (1m, RPSP); Teodoro Sampaio, Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo, 22°32’33”S, 52°19’40”W, 14–16.II.1999, Tavares leg. (116w, 990910–990988, RPSP); ibidem, 16.II.1999, F. Zanella leg (8w, 991830–991833, RPSP). Paraná: Londrina, X.1982, Juliani leg. (3w, 2m, RPSP).

Geographical distribution. Santa Catarina to Paraíba, Brazil, and on west to Madre de Dios, Peru ( Fig. 26 ).

Nest. Very eclectic concerning nesting substrates: tree hollows – living or dry, bamboos, crevices in walls, etc. The cells are arranged in clusters. Details of nest architecture and behavior were provided by Sakagami and Zucchi (1974). Additional records about biology, flower records, etc. was compiled by Camargo and Pedro (2007: 314–316).

Discussion. The worker of L. muelleri , as interpreted here, can be distinguished from other Leurotrigona by denser vestiture on the malar area, lower parocular area to the frons, and clypeus, clothed with silvery gray, scale-like branched hairs ( Fig. 18 ), and pilosity longer and more plumose on posterior region of propodeal spiracle reaching about 2/3 or more toward base of coxa III. Features of the male pre-genital sterna and genitalia ( Figs. 21–25 ) are very distinctive. Workers of Leurotrigona muelleri and L. gracilis sp. nov. share many characters (see preceding discussion) and they probably had an origin independent of the group composed of L. pusilla – L. crispula sp. nov. In relation to the karyotypes and chromosomes number, L. muelleri (2n = 16) and L. pusilla (2n = 30) are also very distinct ( Pompolo & Campos 1995).

Variation. It is possible that L. muelleri , as interpreted here, includes more than one species. There is a male, from Brazil, Maranhão, Santa Luzia, 60 km W, VII.1983, Camargo leg., 891305, in RPSP, with the abdomen very crushed and lacking the genitalia, its general appearance is of L. muelleri , however, the visible portion of the SVI has the emarginated area in inverted V-shaped, not in inverted U-shaped as in Fig. 21 , and the bifid projection of SVII, has the emargination deeper and wider with parallel sides. Workers from Rondônia, Brazil, have the branched scale-like hairs a little smaller, facial pubescence less dense; males from this region were not examined.

TABLE I. Measurements (mm) of Leurotrigona : L. crispula sp. nov., Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia, Colombia (holotype – worker, paratype – male), L. pusilla, Manaus , AM (paratype – worker), Curicuriari, AM, Brazil (paratype – male), L. gracilis sp. nov., Tapurucuara-Mirim, AM, Brazil (holotype – worker), L. muelleri, Londrina , PR, Brazil (worker, male). ......to be continued TABLE I. (continued) We are grateful to Rodrigo Silva (Chemistry Department of FFCLRP, USP), for the scanning electron photographs, to Elder Morato and John Christopher Brown for collecting and donating specimens from Acre and Rondônia, respectively, and to José Amílcar Tavares Filho for preparing the specimens. We thank David W. Roubik, Claus Rasmussen and anonymous reviewers for providing corrections and comments.

Figures

FIGURE 26. Leurotrigona, geographic records. The arrow indicates L. crispula sp. nov.

FIGURES 16 – 20. Leurotrigona gracilis sp. nov.: 16, head and detail of the clypeus vestiture, worker, Plano, Rio Negro, AM, Brazil; 17, tibia III, worker, Camanaus, Rio Negro, AM, Brazil. Leurotrigona muelleri (Friese): 18, head and detail of the clypeus vestiture, worker, Teodoro Sampaio, Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo, SP, Brazil; 19, head, male, Cajuru, SP, Brazil; 20, tibia III, worker, Teodoro Sampaio, Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo, SP, Brazil; Scales = 0.02 mm.

FIGURES 21 – 25. Leurotrigona muelleri (Friese), male, Cajuru, SP, Brazil: 21, sternum VI; 22, sternum VII; 23, sternum VIII; 24, genitalia, dorsal view; 25, genitalia, ventral view. Scale = 0.2 mm.