Patellapis (Chaetalictus) micheneri, Timmermann & Kuhlmann, 2009

Timmermann, Kim & Kuhlmann, Michael, 2009, Variable Selection and Inference for Multi-period Forecasting Problems, Zootaxa 2099, pp. 1-188 : 104-107

Patellapis (Chaetalictus) micheneri sp. n. Timmermann

( Figs. 70a–g ; 71a–f )

Diagnosis. The male is similar to those of P. pearstonensis , P. pondoensis , P. platti , and P. neli in having 6 erect bristles on posterior margin of S4. P. pearstonensis is unique in having a bifid lower gonostylus and P. pondoensis is characterised in having weak metasomal bristles on the posterior margin of S4. The male of P. micheneri can be distinguish from those of P. platti and P. neli by having the scutum and scutellum strongly and completely reticulate. In P.neli and P.platti the scutum is polished and without reticulation (at most finely reticulate anteriorly). The female closely resembles the other females of the P. pulchrinitens species-group.

Description

Female. Bl = 4,9mm. General habitus ( Fig. 70e ). Head. L = 1,4mm; W = 1,5mm. Head about as long as wide ( Fig. 70a ). Integument black except mandibles and malar area partly reddish-brown. Face shiny and with loose, pallid yellowish, erect hairs. Mandibles bidentate. Clypeus and supraclypeal area convex in profile. Clypeus sparsely punctate; surface shiny. Clypeoantennal distance 0,3mm. Supraclypeal area with a few punctures; punctures well separated; surface strongly reticulate; dull. Paraocular area densely punctate; surface extensively sculptured. Antennae brownish-black. Mesosoma. L = 1,0mm; W (ITS) = 1,0mm. Integument black. Scutum shiny; surface completely reticulate; disc sparsely punctate (i = 2,0–3,0d) ( Fig. 70b ). Scutellum as illustrated in Fig. 70c . Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum with greyish and pallid yellowish, erect hairs. Basal area of propodeum as illustrated in Fig. 70c ; propodeum and marginal region of posterior truncation slightly shiny and completely reticulate. Wings. Hyaline. Legs. Integument brownish. Vestiture mostly greyish. Ts coarsely serrate; with 3 long and strong, oblique projections ( Fig. 70f ). Bp as illustrated ( Fig. 70g ). Metasoma. L = 2,7mm; W = 1,6mm. Integument brownish-black; margins of T pallid brownish and partly translucent. Very weak and indistinct apical hair bands on T3–T4. Prepygidial fimbria mostly brownish. Metasomal terga as illustrated in Fig. 70d .

Male. Bl = 4,4–4,6mm. General habitus ( Fig. 71e ). Head. L = 1,3–1,4mm; W = 1,5mm. Head slightly wider than long ( Fig. 71a ). Integument black except mandibles, malar area and clypeus partly reddish-brown. Clypeus, supraclypeal area, paraocular area and vertex covered with erect, greyish hairs. Mandibles simple. Antennae brownish. Flagellomeres of normal structure (not knotty). A4 as long as A3. Mesosoma. L = 0,9–1,0mm; W (ITS) = 0,9–1,0mm. Integument black. Scutum shiny; sparsely punctate (i = 1,5–2,0d); surface strongly reticulate. Scutellum as illustrated in Fig. 71b . Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum with greyish, erect hairs. Basal area of propodeum as illustrated in Fig. 71b ; propodeum and marginal region of posterior truncation shiny, completely reticulate; propodeum with a few well sepatated punctures. Wings. Slightly fuscouse. Legs. Integument reddish-brown. Vestiture greyish. Metasoma. L = 2,3–2,5mm; W = 1,4mm. Integument brownish-black except the margins of T brown to pallid brown; margins of T broadly translucent ( Fig. 71c ). Apical plate broad, pointed apically. Posterior margin of S4 with a sparse row of 6 long and strong, curled, erect bristles (similar to P. pearstonensis ). Metasomal sterna S5–S6 without dense hair patches ( Fig. 71d ). Genitalia. Genitalia as illustrated in Fig. 71f ; gonocoxa extensively dull; gonostylus with dorso-lateral, long and broad, hyaline projection; projection hairless.

Type material ( 4 specimens). Holotype, male, Free State, Van Reenen , xii.1926, leg. R. E. Turner, Brit.

Mus. 1927–25, BMNH.

Paratypes: 1♀, 2♂. South Africa. Free State : 1♂, Van Reenen, xii.1926, leg. R. E. Turner, Brit. Mus. 1927–25, BMNH ; 1♀, 1♂, Adullam Farm near Clarens, 20.–26.ii.1980, leg. S.J. van Tonder, SANC. Etymology. This species is dedicated to Charles D. Michener, who greatly facilitate systematic and taxonomic work on bees in the world. Distribution ( Fig. 80 ). Only known from the Free State. Floral visitation. Unknown. Seasonal activity (first–last observations). xii–ii .

Figures

FIGURE 70. Patellapis (Ch.) micheneri, female: a. Head (scale=0,5mm); b. Scutum (scale=0,5mm); c. Scutellum and propodeum (scale=0,5mm); d. Metasomal terga (scale=1mm); e. Body (scale=1mm); f. Inner hind tibial spur (scale=100µm); g. Basitibial plate (scale=100µm).

FIGURE 71. Patellapis (Ch.) micheneri, male: a. Head (scale=0,5mm); b. Scutellum and propodeum (scale=0,5mm); c. Metasomal terga (scale=1mm); d. Metasomal sterna (scale:1mm); e. Body (scale=1mm); f. Genitalia, dorsal view (scale=100µm).

FIGURE 80. Distributions of P. micheneri, P. pastiniformis and P. pearstonensis.