Heterotrigona (Platytrigona) keyensis (Friese)

Engel, Michael S., 2019, Notes on Papuasian and Malesian stingless bees, with the descriptions of new taxa (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Journal of Melittology 2019 (88), pp. 1-25 : 13

Heterotrigona (Platytrigona) keyensis (Friese)

( Figs. 11 , 17 , 20 , 23 , 24–28 )

NEW RECORDS: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: East Sepik Province: 2⚲⚲, Neuguinea [Papua New Guinea], Hunstein-Gebirge, Wagu [northern slopes of mountain range, East Sepik Province] / Black River , 3.10.1972 [3 October 1972], Hohmann ( SEMC); 1♂ , Neuguinea [Papua New Guinea], Hunstein-Gebirge, Wagu [northern slopes of mountain range, East Sepik Province] / Black River , 23.2.1973 [23 February 1973], Hohmann ( SEMC) .

COMMENTS: The Hunstein Mountains and a Wagu are within the April Salome Forest Management Area of East Sepik Province. The historically recognized “Black River” does not pass through East Sepik Province, but the name “black river” has been generally applied to many different sections of small offshoots of main rivers where the waters are particularly dark. Thus, it must be presumed that the “Black River” referred to in the above localities is some local reference and not to be confused with the historical usage of Black River for the tributary to the Wok Luap River (= Palmer River) that joins at McGregor Junction and is otherwise west of the Strickland River and south of the Kaban Range (e.g., Karius, 1929).

Since the male of H. keyensis has not been previously figured, pertinent images are included herein ( Figs. 24–28 ). Unfortunately, the available male is not in good condition and had been dissected at some point in the past, with the terminalia glued to a card pinned beneath the specimen. A heavy dose of glue was used such that it overlays portions of structures and in the case of the eighth sternum has rendered it exceedingly difficult to interpret. One gonostylus is broken apically, and the apodemes and proximal border of the seventh sternum are distorted and partially damaged ( Figs. 27, 28 ).

Figures

Figures 10–13. Lateral habitus of workers of species of subgenus Platytrigona Moure. 10. Heterotrigona (Platytrigona) planifrons (Smith). 11. H. (P.) keyensis (Friese). 12. H. (P.) flaviventris (Friese). 13. Paratype of H. (P.) lamingtonia (Cockerell).

Figures 14–17. Facial views of workers of species of subgenus Platytrigona Moure. 14. Paratype of Heterotrigona (Platytrigona) lamingtonia (Cockerell). 15. H. (P.) planifrons (Smith). 16. H. (P.) flaviventris (Friese). 17. H. (P.) keyensis (Friese).

Figures 18–21. Forewings species of subgenus Platytrigona Moure. 18. Heterotrigona (Platytrigona) planifrons (Smith). 19. H. (P.) flaviventris (Friese). 20. H. (P.) keyensis (Friese). 21. Paratype of H. (P.) lamingtonia (Cockerell).

Figures 22–23. Propodeal basal areas of representative species of Platytrigona Moure. 22. Heterotrigona (Platytrigona) planifrons (Smith). 23. H. (P.) keyensis (Friese).

Figures 24–28. Male of Heterotrigona (Platytrigona) keyensis (Friese). 24. Lateral habitus. 25. Facial view. 26. Outer surface of metatibia and metatarsus. 27. Genital capsule. 28. Seventh sternum.