Megalopta mapinguari, Santos & Melo, 2014

Santos, L. M. & Melo, G. A. R., 2014, Updating the taxonomy of the bee genus Megalopta (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Augochlorini) including revision of the Brazilian species, Journal of Natural History 49 (11), pp. 575-674 : 623-624

Megalopta mapinguari sp. n.

( Figures 9D , 11B, C , 15D )

Diagnosis

The male differs from those of M. guarani sp. n. and M. karitiana sp. n. by the shape of the medial protruding process of S4, its profile digitiform in lateral view; from M.

atlantica, M. purpurata and M. xavante sp. n. by the mesosoma homogeneously metallic green and by lacking setae in the apex of medial protruding process of S4.

Description

Male. (15) Scape with diameter gradually enlarging toward the apex. (16) Flagellum blackish; F1–F11 not differing in diameter; F2 about two-thirds of F 3 in length ( Figure 9D ); F6–F11, in anterior view, with the anterior and posterior margins flat, in posterior view with basal glabrous area at same level of remaining surface. (17) Metanotum with integument, in dorsal view, not hidden by short plumose pillosity ( Figure 11C ). (18) Basal area of metapostnotum metallic green, its length 0.5× that of metanotum, longitudinal rugulosities present in the mid portion ( Figure 11C ). (19) Metepisternum with sparse pilosity, integument visible through pilosity; posterior upper margin of metepisternum unmodified, lacking a velvety process. (20) 1st and 2nd tarsomeres of foreleg with longest simple setae shorter than the summed length of the three apical tarsomeres. (21) S3 with longitudinal sulcus, posterolateral margin notched ( Figure 11B ). (22) S4 with medial protruding process, profile of process digitiform in lateral view ( Figure 11B ); basal portion glabrous; posterolateral margin notched, notch not extending to basal half of sclerite.

Measurements

Approximate body length: (12.4); intertegular distance: (3.8); maximum width of head: (2.9); length of forewing with tegula: (10).

Female. Unknown.

Type material

Holotype male ( DZUP): BRAZIL. Acre: ‘Faz. Catuaba – UFAC \ armadilha luminosa\ capoeira’.

Comments

The collecting date of the type specimen is unknown. The species can be easily recognized by intense metallic green reflections, sometimes mixed with black tints in integument, except for predominantly blackish metasoma.

Distribution

BRAZIL. Acre: Rio Branco ( Figure 15D ).

Etymology

The specific epithet honours the ‘Mapinguari’, used here as a noun in apposition. The ‘Mapinguari’, a Brazilian folklore character, is popularly known as a monster that lives in the Amazon Rainforest.

Figures

Figure 9. Males of Megalopta. (A) Dorsal view of flagellum of M. guimaraesi from Formosa, Brazil; (B) ventral view of sternum 3‒4 of M. amoena from Alenquer, Brazil; (C, E) dorsal view of head; (D, F) Frontal view of head; (C) M. guarani sp. n. from Chapada dos Guimarães, Brazil; (D) M. mapinguari sp. n. from Rio Branco, Brazil; (E) M. xavante sp. n. from Nova Xavantina, Brazil; (F) M. atlantica Santos & Silveira from Ipanema, Brazil. Scale bar 1 mm.

Figure 11. Males of Megalopta. (A, C, D). Posterolateral view of mesosoma; (A) M. karitiana sp. n. from Ouro Preto do Oeste, Brazil; (B) ventral view of sternum 3‒4 of M. mapinguari sp. n. from Rio Branco, Brazil; (C) M. mapinguari sp. n. from Rio Branco, Brazil; (D) M. xavante sp. n. from Nova Xavantina, Brazil; (E) dorsal view of mesosoma of M. atlantica Santos & Silveira from Ipanema, Brazil; (F) posterior view of mesosoma of M. purpurata Smith (holotype) from Tefé, Brazil. Scale bar 1 mm.

Figure 15. Distribution records of Megalopta species. (A) M. chaperi Vachal; (B) M. guimaraesi Santos & Silveira (black circles) and M. mura sp. n. (grey squares); (C) M. piraha sp. n (grey squares) and M. yanomami sp. n. (black circles); (D) M. atlantica Santos & Silveira (grey square), M. guarani sp. n (triangle), M. xavante sp. n (hexagon), M. karitiana sp. n (black circle), M. mapinguari sp. n (black square) and M. purpurata Smith (grey circle).