Chilicola (Heteroediscelis) vicugna Toro & Moldenke, 1979

Monckton, Spencer K., 2016, A revision of Chilicola (Heteroediscelis), a subgenus of xeromelissine bees (Hymenoptera, Colletidae) endemic to Chile: taxonomy, phylogeny, and biogeography, with descriptions of eight new species, ZooKeys 591, pp. 1-144 : 101-107

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Colletidae

Chilicola (Heteroediscelis) vicugna Toro & Moldenke, 1979 Figs 3B; 6D; 8A; 27 A–B; 28 C–D; 47 A–J; 49

Chilicola vicugna Toro & Moldenke, 1979: 120-121 (male holotype, female allotype, AMNH [examined]). Packer 2008: 77. Almeida et al. 2008: 76, 79 (phylogeny). Montalva and Ruz 2010: 29 (checklist). Almeida et al. 2011: 532 (phylogeny). Moure et al. 2012 (catalogue). Monckton 2014: 234 (male neotype, AMNH [examined]). Ascher and Pickering 2015 (checklist).

Diagnosis.

Males are diagnosable by the combination of malar space shorter than (~0.5 ×) clypeal lateral, S1 process apical surface with a distinct longitudinal ridge, and in lateral view having a distinctly acute anterior apical angle, sloping strongly toward sternum posteriorly. Females are diagnosable by the combination of malar space less than half as long as clypeal lateral, clypeus sparsely punctate medially (i≥2d), and absence of longitudinal depressions on the paraocular area.

Description.

Male (Neotype). Length 5.1mm, forewing length 3.1mm, head width 1.1mm, thorax width 1.1mm, median ocellar diameter (OD) 0.12mm.

Colouration: Black-brown, following parts yellow: labrum; clypeus except broadly dark along epistomal suture, sometimes apex brown altered; lower paraocular area, extending>1OD above transverse portion of epistomal suture and not reaching lower tangent of antennal socket; apicoventral spot on scape; apicoventral surface of pedicel; protrochanter apical rim posteriorly; apex of profemur broadly on anterior surface, narrowly on posterior surface; dorsal surface of protibia, as well anterior surface and basal and apical rings narrow ventrally; probasitarsus dorsally, suffused with brown ventrally; apex of mesofemur broadly on anterior surface, narrowly on posterior surface; narrow basal and apical ring on mesotibia, the latter widened to apical one-third anteriorly; anterior surface of metatibia in basal quarter and narrowly on apical margin to summit of ventral convexity, posterior surface in basal and apical one-third and along ventral carina; metabasitarsus ventrally, darker apically; anterior spot on tegula. Following parts yellow-brown: ventral surface of flagellum, flagellomeres suffused with brown basally; apical one-third of prodistitarsus; apicoventral rim of metatrochanter; apex of T7. Posterior metatibial carina black. Metasoma black, T1-T6 marginal zones translucent yellow.

Pubescence: White, hairs generally short (0.5OD) and sparse, not especially plumose; on lower paraocular area and around antennal base moderately long and moderately dense (1OD); genal beard long and dense (0.5-3OD) longest at midlength; mesoscutum, scutellum, and metanotum mostly bare, few short hairs (0.5OD), longer and denser toward lateral margin as follows: mesoscutum (0.5-1OD), scutellum (1-2OD) also on posterior margin, longest posteromedially, metanotum (≤2OD); propodeal hairs moderately long and dense dorsolaterally (0.5-1.5OD); T1-T3 apicolateral patches of tomentum (0.5-1OD); S2 hairs long and dense (1.5OD basolaterad, 0.5OD distilaterad, shorter mesad).

Surface sculpture: Microsculpture imbricate, integument generally dull; punctures generally small and deep. Clypeus and supraclypeal area moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d) except clypeus sparsely punctate medially (i=2-3d), supraclypeal area densely punctate toward lateral margin (i≤d); lower paraocular area densely punctate (i=d); frontal area very densely punctate (i≤0.5d), densely punctate around ocelli (i≤d); ocellocular space moderately densely punctate adjacent to compound eye (i=1-2d) becoming impunctate adjacent to lateral ocellus; vertexal area densely punctate (i≤d); scape shallowly and moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d) densely punctate apicoventrally (i≤d); genal area microstriate and densely punctate (i≤d); hypostomal area weakly imbricate and densely punctate (i=d); pronotum densely punctate (i=0.5-1d), lateral surface coarsely imbricate; mesoscutum and scutellum densely punctate (i=0.5-1d) punctures crowded around median (i≤d); mesepisternum irregularly punctate, sparse below scrobe and anterior of episternal groove (i=1-3d), impunctate just dorsad of scrobe, otherwise moderately dense on hypoepimeral area (i=1-2d); metanotum moderately densely punctate (i=0.5-2d) punctures crowded anteriorly (i≤0.5d); metepisternum densely punctate (i≤d) distinctly longitudinally striate anterodorsally; metapostnotum rugose; propodeum coarsely imbricate and moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d); T1-T5 coarsely imbricate; T1 sparsely punctate basally (i≥2d) more densely punctate apically (i≤2d); T2-T5 densely punctate (i≤d); T6 moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d) and coarsely imbricate posteriorly; T7 moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d); marginal zones of terga weakly imbricate and shiny, minutely punctate.

Structure: Labrum 2.5 × wider than long (20:8); malar space ~0.5 × as long as clypeal lateral (4:7); LOT below anterior tentorial pits; length of clypeus subequal to maximum width in frontal view (24:26) extending for approximately one third of its length beyond LOT; median longitudinal groove on clypeus weakly present in dorsal half, absent ventrad; length of subantennal sutures subequal the shortest distance between them (14:13.5); IAD ~2.2 × AOD (13:6); scape 3 × as long as maximum width (24:8); pedicel slightly shorter than wide (8:8.5); F1 slightly shorter than wide (8.5:9); F2 ~1.5 × as long as F1 and ~0.9 × length of F3 (F2:F3 - 13:15); UOD ~1.5 × LOD, IOD ~1.05 × UOD (UOD:IOD:LOD - 49:52:32); frontal line carinate between antennal bases for a length less than OD, flat just below median ocellus for less than 1OD and otherwise roughly defined; MOC shorter than width of head (76:83); OOC ~0.7 × IOC (12:17); genal area ~0.67 × as wide as compound eye in lateral view (19:28); ratio of lengths of mesoscutum: scutellum: metanotum: metapostnotum - 52:20:10:14; probasitarsus ~3.33 × as long as maximum depth (20:6); prodistitarsus 0.8 × as long as preceding three tarsomeres combined (from II to V - 6:5:4:12); metafemur ~1.75 × as long as maximum depth (54:31); summit of metatibial ventral convexity at approximately two-thirds tibial length; metatibia 2.2 × as long as maximum depth (44:20); in apical view apical lamina of metatibia short and thick, length ~0.8 × OD (7:9); ventral metatibial carina bowed ventrad and absent basally, originating at midpoint of weakly sigmoid posterior carina; metabasitarsus ~4.2 × as long as maximum depth (36:8.5); S1 process apical surface with a longitudinal median ridge, in lateral view anterior and posterior margins convergent apically. S7 apodemal arm sclerotized margin terminating laterally at arm midlength; ventral lobe narrow, almost linear; dorsal lobe roughly triangular, wide at base and narrow apically; row of setae long basally and shorter apically; apex of disc disinctly emarginate. S8 lateral process ~0.9 × as wide as long, anteromedial sclerotized margin following marginal contour. Gonobase apicoventral truncate process biconvex and distinctly notched by ~1.5 × width of one convexity.

Female. Length 4.3-5.3mm, forewing length 2.8-3.0mm, head width 1.0-1.1mm, thorax width 1.1-1.2mm, median ocellar diameter (OD) 0.11-0.12mm.

Colouration: Black to black-brown except as follows: mandible yellow except apex translucent brown, sometimes trasluscent yellow in apical half; antenna variable (pedicel and F1-F2 apicoventral surface narrowly brown to broadly yellow-brown; ventral surface of F3 to penultimate flagellomere yellow, often suffused with brown basally; terminal flagellomere yellow basally, brown apically). Following parts yellow: dorsal surface of protibia; apical one-third of prodistitarsus; narrow basal and apical rings on mesotibia; wide basal ring on metatibia, narrow ventrally, as well as apical rim posteriorly; anterior spot on tegula. Following parts yellow-brown: anterior surface of probasitarsus; apicodorsal rim of metafemur. Apical one-third of mesodistitarsus brown. Metasoma black, T1-T5 yellow-brown beyond premarginal line to translucent yellow at margins.

Pubescence: As in male except as follows: clypeal hairs short and sparse (0.5OD); genal beard sparse (0.5-1.5OD); discs of mesoscutum and scutellum with sparse short hairs (≤0.5OD) denser and short toward lateral margin of mesoscutum (0.5OD), longer and denser toward lateral and posterior margins of scutellum (1-1.5OD) longest posteromedially; scopae on metafemur and metatibia (1-1.5OD); T1-T2 apicolateral patches of tomentum (0.5-1OD), T3 apicolateral hair band sparse, not tomentose; S1 hairs long and moderately dense (≤2OD); S2 scopal hairs (1-2OD).

Surface sculpture: As in male except as follows: frontal area densely punctate (i≤d), moderately densely punctate around ocelli (i=1-2d); vertexal area moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d); scape shallowly and moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d); genal area moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d); hypostomal area weakly imbricate to glossy apically and sparsely punctate (i≥2d); mesoscutum and scutellum densely punctate (i=0.5-1d); mesepisternum irregularly punctate, sparse below scrobe (i=1-3d), sparser anterior of episternal groove (i≥3d), impunctate just dorsad of scrobe, otherwise irregularly spaced on hypoepimeral area (i≤2d); metanotum moderately densely punctate (i=0.5-2d); metapostnotum rugose, more weakly microsculptured posteriorly; propodeum moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d); T1-T5 punctures small and sparse (i=1-3d on T1-T3; i≥2d on T4-T5); T6 moderately densely punctate (i=1-2d).

Structure: Labrum ~2.2 × wider than long (18.5:8.5); length of malar space ~0.4 × as long as clypeal lateral (2.5:6); LOT below anterior tentorial pits; clypeus subequal in length to maximum width in frontal view (24:23) extending for approximately one third of its length beyond LOT; median longitudinal groove weak on clypeus; subantennal sutures shorter than the shortest distance between them (9.5:11); IAD ~1.6 × AOD (11.5:7); scape ~3.33 × as long as maximum width (20:6); pedicel longer than wide (7:6); F1 shorter than wide (4.5:6); F2 slightly shorter than F1 and slightly shorter than F3 (F2:F3 - 4:4.5); UOD ~1.4 × LOD, IOD ~1.05 × as long as UOD (UOD:IOD:LOD - 44:46:31); frontal line carinate in lower half, flat above; MOC subequal to width of head (66:67.5); OOC ~0.67 × IOC (11:17); genal area ~0.6 × as wide as eye in lateral view (14:22); ratio of lengths of mesoscutum: scutellum: metanotum: metapostnotum - 47:17:9.5:11; probasitarsus 3.8 × as long as maximum depth (19:5); length of prodistitarsus ~0.8 × that of preceding three tarsomeres combined (from II to V - 6:4:3.5:11); metafemur ~2.7 × as long as maximum depth (38:14); metatibia ~4.4 × as long as maximum depth (48:11); metabasitarsus ~4.1 × longer tshan maximum depth (29:7).

Material studied

(84 males & 201 females). Neotype (male): Region IV, Elqui Prov., 26 km S of Vicuña, S 30.190°, W 70.661°, 1691m, 5.x.1994, Rozen, Quinter, Ascher (AMNH) - see comments; Holotype (male): Region IV, El Pangue, S 30.168°, W 70.663°, 1711m, x.1972, Toro (AMNH); Allotype (female): same locality and date as holotype, Cabezas (AMNH); Region IV: one paratype male, same data as holotype, on Pleurophora pusilla (AMNH); one female, same locality as holotype, 13.x.1977, De la Hoz (PUCV); one female, same locality as holotype, 13.x.1977, L. Ruz (PUCV); two females, Elqui Prov., Pangue, S 30.1539°, W 70.6639°, 1686m, 11-30.ix.2004, A. Ugarte (PCYU); one female, Elqui Prov., El Pangue 24 km S of Vicuña, S 30.168°, W 70.663°, 1711m, 31.x.1992, Snyder & Sharkov (AMNH); four females, Elqui Prov., 7 km S of Pisco Elqui, S 30.177°, W 70.486°, 1449m, 8.x.1994, Rozen, Quinter, Ascher (AMNH); four females, Elqui Prov., 26 km S of Vicuña, S 30.19°, W 70.661°, 1691m, 1.xi.1992, Rozen, Sharkov, Snyder (AMNH); two females, Elqui Prov., 26 km S of Vicuña, S 30.19°, W 70.661°, 1691m, 5.x.1994, Rozen, Quinter, Ascher (AMNH); two males and two females, Elqui Prov., 19 km S of Pisco Elqui, S 30.265°, W 70.499°, 1991m, 6.x.1994, Rozen, Quinter, Ascher (AMNH); one female, S of Vicuña km 97, S 30.1415°, W 70.6901°, 1304m, 3.x.2013, S. Monckton, CCDB-19989 B06 // PCYU 0021680 (PCYU); one female, Elqui Prov., 6 km S of Vicuña, S 30.085°, W 70.725°, 889m, 23-24.x.1992, Rozen, Sharkov, Snyder (AMNH); one female, Vicuña, S 30.032°, W 70.708°, 625m, 12.ix.1968, H. Toro (AMNH); one male, same locality, 26.x.1972, H. Toro (AMNH); one female, Vicuña, S 30.032°, W 70.708°, 1157m, 26.x.1972, H. Toro (PUCV); four females, E of Rivadavia, 41-CH, km 83, S 29.9619°, W 70.5411°, 855m, 5.xi.2013, S. Monckton (PCYU); one male and two females, Elqui Prov. bet. Chapilca & Guanta, S 29.844°, W 70.461°, 1107m, 7.x.1994, Rozen, Quinter, Ascher (AMNH); one female, E of Guanta, km 114.420, S 29.8852°, W 70.3214°, 1349m, 4.x.2012, L. Packer (PCYU); eight males and nineteen females, E of Vicuña, km 114, S 29.9123°, W 70.3013°, 1429m, ix.2010, L. Packer, white pans (PCYU); three males and thirteen females, same data, blue pans (PCYU); four males and sixteen females, same data, fluor. yellow pans (PCYU); five males and one female, E of Guanta, km 127.840, S 29.8852°, W 70.2602°, 1613m, 12.ix.2010, L. Packer (PCYU); one female, Puente Las Terneras, S 29.9888°, W 70.2522°, 1644m, 4.v.2010, Packer & Fraser, B09866-A08 Bees of Chile197 (PCYU); three females, same locality, 4.x.2010, L. Packer, CCDB-19989 C11 // PCYU 0021693, PCYU 0021700, PCYU 0021699 (PCYU); thirty-six males and eighty-four females, E of Vicuña, 127.8 km, S 29.9777°, W 70.2293°, 1711m, 12-19.ix.2010, L. Packer (PCYU); three males and three females, same data (BBSL); three males and three females, same data (CTMI); one male, Hwy 41-CH, km 133, S 29.9657°, W 70.2015°, 1716m, 17.x-8.xi.2013, S. Monckton (PCYU); one male and one female, 41-CH km 137.8, S 29.9670°, W 70.1936°, 1800m, 8.xi.2013, S. Monckton, pan traps, CCDB-19989 B11 // PCYU 0021685; CCDB-19989 B12 // PCYU 0021686 (PCYU); one female, Hwy 41-CH, km 132, S 29.0541°, W 70.1936°, 800m, 8.xi.2013, S. Monckton (PCYU); one female, El Tofo, S 29.442°, W 71.252°, 631m, 27.x.1972, H. Toro (AMNH); two females, Incahuasi, S 29.228°, W 71.014°, 779m, 1.x.1982, O. Martinez (PUCV); two females, same locality and date, De La Hoz (PUCV); two males and one female, Chañares, S 30.295°, W 70.629°, 1389m, 12.ix.1984, H. Toro (PUCV); two males and two females, same data (AMNH); one male, same locality and date, De La Hoz (PUCV); one male, same locality and date, De La Hoz, PUCV-ENTO 21886 (PUCV); two males and one female, same locality and date, De La Hoz (AMNH); one female, same locality and date, P. Guerrero (PUCV); one male and two females, Chañar-Los Lavadores, S 30.2963°, W 70.6273°, 1396m, 10.ix.2010, L. Packer, B09866-F09 Bees of Chile258, B09866-F07 Bees of Chile256, B09866-F08 Bees of Chile257 (PCYU); two males and two females, Las Breas, S 30.369°, W 70.613°, 1622m, 11-19.ix.2010, L. Packer (PCYU); one male, Elqui, 4-5 km S of Pisco, S 30.383°, W 70.347°, 1340m, 27.x.1992, Andrey Sharkov (AMNH); seven females, Limarí Prov., Embalse Recoleta, 21 km NE of Ovalle, S 30.495°, W 71.086°, 406m, 11-12.x.1994, Rozen, Quinter, Ascher (AMNH); one female, Limarí Prov., Las Mollacas, E Monte Patria, S 30.753°, W 70.657°, 1142m, 13.x.1994, Rozen, Quinter, Ascher (AMNH); one female, same data, on Salix chilensis (AMNH); Region III: one female, E of Vallenar, S 28.7716°, W 70.4486°, 830m, 1.x.2013, L. Packer (PCYU); one male and three females, Embalse Santa Juana, C-479, km 21.5, S 28.6747°, W 70.6433°, 645m, 15.x.2013, S. Monckton, CCDB-19989 A08 // PCYU 0021670, CCDB-19989 A09 // PCYU 0021671, PCYU 0020916, PCYU 0020915 (PCYU).

Variation.

Some females have a yellow-brown or yellow spot on the lower paraocular area below the anterior tentorial pit.

Distribution.

Central Andean Cordillera and Coquimban & Intermediate Desert, from Embalse Sta. Juana (Region III) south to Las Mollacas (Region IV), west to El Tofo, and east to E of Vicuña, Hwy. 41-CH km 137.8 (Region IV); 406-1991m a.s.l.

Ecology.

Collected on Pleurophora pusilla Hook. & Arn. (1 record) and Salix chilensis Molina (1 record). Recorded September to November and May.

Comments.

Designation of the neotype is justified because of damaged type material; identification of Chilicola vicugna relies on characters on the head, without which it is not readily differentiated from Chilicola mavida . However, the male holotype and single male paratype have lost their heads since the time of original description, and the taxonomic identity of Chilicola vicugna cannot, therefore, be strictly verified based on existing type material; this renders Chilicola vicugna a nomen dubium. The neotype described herein is so designated in the interest of taxonomic stability, and was the subject of a proposal to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) to set aside the name-bearing status of the holotype and to officially designate the neotype in its place ( Monckton 2014).