Table Of Content^1
Papers
Scientific
Museum
Natural History
The University of Kansas
10 April 2002 Number 25:1-8
Two New Subgenera of Bees in the Genus Centris
(Hymenoptera: Apidae)
By
RicardoAyala
Estacion dc Biologia Cliameln, histitiito dc Biologia, LINAM,
Apnrtndo Postal 21, San Patricio, Jalisco 48980, Mexico ^'; " - o j/ggg
baraias@sen'idor.uiMm.inx
CONTENTS L' y
ABSTRACT
1
RESUMEN
1
INTRODUCTION 2
Acknowledgments 2
METHODS 2
SYSTEMATICS 2
Apheiiiisia, new subgenus 2
Schisthemisia, new subgenus 5
LITERATURE CITED 8
ABSTRACT Twonew subgenera,Aplictiiisia and Schtstliciiiisia, ofCciitris (Apinae: Centridini) arede-
scribed and figured. The species of these two new subgenera occuronly in South America and were
previously included in the subgenus Mclacciitris.
Kcii Words: Bees; Apidae; Centridini; Centris; Aphcuiisia; Sclnstlicinisia; Mclaccutris; nootropics.
RESUMEN Dos nuevos subgeneros Aphcniisia y Schisthemisia de Centris (Apinae: Centridini) son
descritaseilustradaseneste trabajo. Lasespeciesdeestosdosnuevossubgenerossonsudamericanas
y fueron anteriormente incluias en el subgeneroMelacentris.
Palabras Chwes: Abejas;Apidae; Centridini; Centris; Apiiemisia; Schisthemisia; Mehiceutris; neotropico.
©Natural Hibtory Museum,TheUniversityofKansas ISSNNo. 1094-0782
——
Scientific Papers, Natural History Museum. The University of Kansas
INTRODUCTION
The tribe Centridini contains nuimTctus large and ofthe systematics and phylogeny of this tribe, so that the
robust to moderate-sized mainly neotropical species that names can be used before the publication of that work
collect oil from flowers, principally Malpighiaceae and (Ayala, 1998).
Krameriaceae. The oil is used to provision cells and Acknowledgments
sometimesin theconstructionofthecells in thenest(Neff
and Simpson, 1981). The members of this tribe can be I am thankful to the following institutions and
separated from the remainder of the Apinae by the curators, whograciously pro\ ided material used in this
presenceofajugal lobeas largeasone-third ofthevannal study: Snow Entomological Collection, Division of
lobe and the absence of an arolium (Michener, 1944; Entomology, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity
Stephen cl al., 1969). Research Center, Uni\'ersity of Kansas, Lawrence,
The subgeneric classification of the Centridini was Kansas, M. S. Engel and R. W. Brooks (SEMC); Cornell
proposed byMichener(1951, 1954)and Moure(1945),and University Insect Collection, Ithaca, New York, J. K.
was later modified by Snelling (1966, 1974, 1984), who Liebherr and E. R. Hoebeke (CUIC); and American
recognized 12 subgenera in the genus Cciitris, nine in the Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, J.
genus Ep'icliaris, in addition to the genus Ptilotopiis. A G. Rozen, Jr. and E. Quinter (AMNH). Charles D.
cladistic study by Ayala (1998) indicated that Ccutris is Michener and Michael S. Engel kindly examined an
divisibleintothreegroups,with12subgenera. Twoofthese early version of the manuscript and provided valuable
subgenera are described as new below. These new criticisms.
subgenera are included in the group with Melaceniris, Padre j. S. Moure of the Universidade Federal do
Ptilocenlris, Ptilotopus (no longer considered generically Parana in Curitiba, Brazil, independently recognized
distinct), and Wagcnkiwchtin. the subgenera described below over 40 years ago and
A classification of all the genera and subgenera of at some point provided unpublished names for them
Centridini is provided by Ayala (1998); papers reviewing on labels and more recently in conversations. 1 am
the subgenera of Ccntris are by Michener (1951), Snelling indebted to him forpermission (1998) touseand publish
(1974, 1984), and Ayala (1998).' his names, and 1 do so with pleasure to further, with
The objective of this paper is to publish two new PadreMoure, the developmentofa useful classification
subgenera ofCentridini that I recognized during a study of the Centridini.
METHODS
Morphological terminology follows that of Michener camera lucida mounted on an OlympusSZH microscope.
(1944, 2000), Michener and Brooks (1984), and Winston Photographic images were produced by Michael S. Engel
(1979). Inthedescriptionsthefollowingabbreviationsare using a Microptics ML-1000 Digital Imaging System.
used: F,flagellomere;S,metasomalsternum;T,metasomal Specimens for study were borrowed from the museums
tergum. Illustrations were prepared with the aid of a cited in theAcknowledgments.
SYSTEMATICS
Aphemisia, new subgenus
apex slightly projecting beyond attachment to principal
(Figs. 3-14)
plate. Pygidial plate with pointed apex (Fig. 7); lateral
Type species. Ceiitris pliiiiiipc^' \\ Smith, 1854. margin concave; secondary plate triangular with margins
Diagnosis. Female (Figs. 3, 7, 13, 14): Maxillary elevated and projected above principal plate; surface of
palpuswith threefreesegments. Mandiblecurved indistal principal plate concave.
half, with fourth sharp teeth, two from the rastellum and Mali; (Figs. 4-6, 8-12): Similar to female except as
two from the pollex; trimma with median denticular follows: Mandiblestronglycurved in theapical third (Fig.
projection. Labrumyellow,widerthanlong,gentlyconvex. 6),withthreesharpteeth,twofrom rastellumandonefrom
Clypeuswithlongitudinal medianblackmark,itsmargins pollex. Scutellumwithtworounded lobes. Hind tibiaand
converging apically. Clypeocular distance about as wide basitarsuswithscopa-shaped pubescence(Fig.8),largeon
as minimum width of Fl. Lower paraocular area with the anterior and posterior margins. Hind femur swollen.
yellow mark. Ocellocular space 1.5x diameter of lateral Hind basitarsus with single spineon distal, innermargin.
ocellus. Scutellum with two strong lobes (two strong Terga with dark iridescent integument (variable among
elevations)lightlyprojectedbackwards(Fig. 13). Basitibial specimens). Pvgidial plate absent but tergal margin with
plate with sharp apex (Fig. 14); secondary plate elevated. two lobes delimiting a notch.
New Subgenera of Bees
Figs. 1-4. FacesofCeiitrisspecies. 1.FacialviewoffemaleofCattris(Scliisllifiiiiiu^)flavilnbrii Mocsary. 2.FacialviewofmaleofC.(S.)
flavilabris. 3. FacialviewoffemaleofC. (Aphcmisia)pliimipLVSmith. 4. Facial viewofmaleofC. {A.)plumipcs.
—
Description. As in thediagnosis with the following with two teeth; pollex with tooth (usually very sharp).
additions: Fem.ale: Maxillary palpus with sparse Labrumwiderthanlong,withsparsepubescence. Clypeus
pubescence, if present no longer than width of segment, littleprojected, in lateralviewgentlyrounded above,with
first free segment longer than second. Mandible without discalareagentlyconvextoweaklyconca\'e;lowermargin
subapical, internal tooth; acetabular carina reaching base andsubmarginwithweaksulcus,definedbyhyalinearea;
of fourth tooth; trimmal extension with tooth-like clypeus with longitudinal yellow line. Fl at least a little
projection at two-thirds or three-fourths of distance longer than scape. Paraocular area with alveolus-orbital
between internal tooth and mandibular base; rastellum space longer than diameter of alveolus. Lateral ocellus
SciENTiiic Papers, Natural History Museum, The University oe Kansas
Figs.5-12. Ceiitris{Aplwiiiisia)phiinipcsSmith, male. 5. Lateral view ofgalealbase, maxillarypalpus,and apexofstipes. 6. Mandible.
7.Pygidialplate. 8. Hind leg. 9.Genitalcapsule,dorsalaspect. 10.Genitalcapsule,ventralaspect. 11.Metasomalsternum7. 12. Metasomal
sternum8.
below uppertangentofcompound eyes. Vertex, in frontal tibia longerthanouterspur Scopaofhind tibiaconsisting
view, at same level as upper ends of eyes. Occipital area of plumose hairs with branches arising from a robust
with plumose pubescence. Scutellum with abundant central rachis. Basitibial plate with secondarv plate
pubescence but not dense, with two tubercles (Fig. 13). ele\ated (Fig. 14), with the margin well defined and apex
Length of marginal cell less than distance from apex of insiefe principal plate. Hind basitarsus with posterior
celltowingtip; wingmembranedarkbrown, translucent. margin of distal internal area with simple robust hairs.
Fore basitarsus with elaiospathe on anterior margin and Metasomal terga with metallic iridescence, integumentof
long setae making other comb on anterior margin. Mid T2punctatebutnotstrongly,slightlyshiny; pubescenceof
tibiawithelaiospathe. Spurofthe mid tibia flatand short, the T2 and T3 very short, notdense; T2-4 without fringes
usually as long as Fl and F2 together. Inner spur of hind atdistal margins;T4-5withoutdensepubescence,T5with
—— —
New Subgenera of Bees
apical fringe of appressed strong dense hairs. Pygidial only slightly projected over surface of principal plate,
platenarrowingtoattenuateacuteapex(Fig.7). Secondary distal margin rounded (Fig. 15). Margins of pygidial
pygidalplateformed withabasal triangle. S4andS5with plate converging posteriorly, but apex broad, notched
plumose hairs only on distal margins. (Fig. 18);secondarypygidial plate rounded,withasmall
1VI.'\le: Labrum much wider than long. Clypeus with point (Fig. 18).
blackmacula narrowing from superiormargin to inferior Male: Maxillarypalpuswith threefreesegments(Fig.
Malar area much longer than clypeus-ocular distance. 16). Mandible with four teeth, apical tooth acute, other
ScapeshorterthanFl,Fl longerthancombined lengthsof teeth as in figure 17; acetabular carina ending at base of
F2andF3. Compoundeyesconvergingdorsally,orslightly moreinternaltoothand withbranchesofcarinaextending
so. Vertex infrontal viewbelow level ofsuperior margins toward other tooth of pollex. Labrum wider than long,
of eyes. Scutellum with two tubercles. Femora swollen yellow. Clypeusyellow,withblackspotstowardtheupper
(Fig. 8). Pygidial plate with posterior margin bilobulate; margin(somespecieswithuppermarginofclypeusblack).
S7 with medial projection (Fig.11); S8 with medial Clypeocular distance shorter than minimum width ofFl.
projection on distal margin elongate with medial part Lower paraocular area yellow. Compound eyes
broad (Fig. 12). Genitalia as in figures9 and 10. converging dorsally (Fig. 2). Ocellocular space narrow,
Comments.—The species of this subgenus were about one-half of ocellar diameter (based upon median
previously included in the subgenus Mclacentris = ocellus). Uppermargin ofthe head (frontal view) atlevel
(
Melanocentrissensu§nelling, 1984). Aphemisiawasnamed ofupperoculartangent. Scutellumwithtwolobesrounded
cboyllPeec.tiJ.onSs.oMfoCuorreneollnUtnhie\'learbseiltsyo(fCsUpIeCc)iamnednsofitnhtehNeaitnusreaclt aanndd ptriobjieactseldigbhatlcykwsawrodlsl.en,Hitnidbialeganwdithbafsietmaurrsusswowliltehn
History Museum, UniversityofKansas (SEMC). Itseems pubescence scopa-like (Fig. 19). Metasomal terga with
appropriate to use the name proposed by Pe. Moure for integumentshinybutnotpolished,brownordarkbrown;
this taxon, as recommended by Pe. Moure himself (pers. pygidial tergum with well defined plate with posterior
comm., 1998). Aplicmisia presents many apomorphic margin bilobulate forming strong notch, the plate
characters. Tliephylogeneticanalysis(Ayala, 1998)shows trapezoidal with margin elevated and with little
that thisnew subgenusissistertoSiiiiftlwiiiisinand ispart pubescence.
of the largergroup includingMclaccntiis. Description. Female: Maxillary palpus with three
Distribution.—The known specimens are from freesegments;firstfreesegmentlongerthansecond. Galea
Amazonas in Venezuela (Territorio del Amazonas), with basal inferior margin with a well-defined lobe.
Ecuador (Guapore; Limoncocha), Brazil (Distrito Federal; Mandible with inner subapical area lacking tooth.
Para), Peru (Azupizu), Bolivia ("Chiapare" [=Chapare]), Acetabular carina reaching base of fourth tooth; trimma
FrenchGuiana (Montagnede Pere, Kourou), and Panama withatoothontwo-thirdsorthree-fourthsofdistancefrom
(CanalZone). innertoothtomandibularbase;rastellumwiththreeteeth;
Included species.—Two species are presently pollexwithtwoteeth. Labrumwiderthanlong,withlittle
pubescence. Clypeus projecting or little projecting with
included, Centris (Aphciiiisia) plumipcs Smith, 1854 and
ratherflatdiscalarea,discalsurfacewithroundedmargins,
Centris (Aphemisia) n. sp. (SEMC).
with or without central depression; lower margin and
Schisthemisia, new subgenus submarginofclypeuswithweaksulcus,definedbyhyaline
(Fig. 1-2, 13-23) area. Clypeus with black macula on upper margin (Fig.
Type species. Centrisflavilahris Mocsary, 1899. 1). Fl atleastslightly longerthanscape. Alveolus-orbital
spaceaslongasdiameterofalveolus. Lateralocelliinfacial
Diagnosis. Female: (Figs. 1-2, 15, 18):Mandiblewith view below upper tangent of eyes. Vertex in facial view
strong angle at level of distal third, distal margin broad, above upper tangent of eyes (Fig. 1). Mesoscutum with
with five teeth, three on rastellum and two on pollex; pubescence plumose, abundant or dense, completely
trimma with tooth-like projection on distal area. Clypeus covering integument. Scutellum with two tubercles (or
yellow in lower two-thirds or with two light spots.
lobes) little or slightly elevated. Axillar surface elevated
Paraoculararea withlowerpartyellow. Clypeoculararea
above level of scutellum. Forewing papillae each ending
as wide as minimum width of Fl. Vertex above level of with a seta; marginal cell shorter than distance from its
upper margin of eyes. Scutellum rounded with two apex to wing tip; wing membrane translucent, ochre or
tubercles; posterior margin vertical, continuous with dark ochre, without or with weak iridescence. Fore
metanotum and propodeum. Basitibial plate with
basitarsLis with elaiospathe on anterior margin and long
secondaryplateele\'ated, with the marginswell projected hair forming comb on posterior margin. Midtibia with
alonganteriorand distal margins, along posteriormargin elaiospathe;spurflatand short,aslongasFl orcombined
Scientific Papi;rs, Natural Hisiory Musuum, Thi; Univi-rshy oi Kansas
I igs. 1.) 15. MesosomaltharactfrsofCi'/ifnVspecies. 13.ScutelhinioffemaleCi'/ifiis(/\;>/;('m/s;ij)f)/i/mi;)t'.'iSmith. 14.IJiisitibialpl.Ueoil.
(/I.)phimipes. 15.Basitibial plateoiC. {Scliistlwinisia)fltwiltihrif Mocsar\-.
lengthofFl and F2. Innerhind tibial spurpectinate; inner apex rounded, inside margin of principal plate. Hind
and outerspurssimilarin length. Scopa onhind tibia with basitarsus with simple, robust hairs, with bent apices, on
plumose hairs emerging from strong, central rachis; thedistal internal area ofposterior margin. Terga without
basitibial plate with secondary plate elevated, its margin metallic iricHescence;T2with weak punctation not strong,
defined, without yellow markings; secondary plate with weaklv shin\'; T2 and T3 with short but not dense
Nbw Subgenera of Bees
Figs. 16-23. Ccntris[Schi^^thcniiiia)flnvilnbris Mocsary,male. 16. Lateral view ofgalealbase,maxillary palpus,and apexof
stipes. 17. Mandible. 18.Pygidialplate. 19. Hindleg. 20.Genitalcapsule,dorsalaspect. 21.Genitalcapsule,ventralaspect. 22.
Metasomalsternum7. 23.Metasomalsternum8.
pubescence; T2-4 without apical fringes of hair; T5 with Male: Similar to female. Labrum broader than long.
fringeon marginofstrongappressed hairs; pygidial plate Malar space short, as long as clypeocular space. Scape
with margins converging (Fig. 18), apex truncate with shorterthanFl;Fl longerthancombined lengthofF2and
strong median notch; secondary pygidial plate rounded F3. Compound eyesconvergingdorsally (Fig. 14). Vertex
(Fig. 18); S4-5 withplumosehairsonly on distal margins, at level of upper ocular tangent (Fig. 2). Hind femur
not obscuring surface; S6 with apex rounded, short, or swollen; hind basitarsus with posterior margin lacking
ending in a tuft ofhairs. carinaanddenticulateprojection. Pygidialplatewithapex
3 2044 072 228 760
8 Scientific Papers. Natural History Museum, The University oi- Kansas
bilobulate. S7slenderwithelongatemedial projectionwith Thespeciesofthissubgenuswerepre\'iouslyincluded
strongnotchatapex (Fig. 22);S8with medial projectionof in Mcliicentris (= Melanocentris sensu Snelling, 1984). This
distal margin elongate, widened in mid distal part (Fig. is the sister subgenus of Aphemisia. The subgenus
23); genitalia asin figures 20 and 21. Schi:>thi'nii^ia can be recognized by the shape of the
—
Comments. The name of this subgenus was mandibles,scutellum,hind tibia,andpygidium. Themale
suggested by Pe. J. S. Moure more than 40 years ago can be separated from other Centris by the shape of the
when he independently recognized this subgenus as clypeus and scutellum.
—
new but never published on it. I found it on labels of Distribution. The only known specimens of this
specimens inCUIC and SEMC, and publish it here with subgenus were collected in Brazil (Amazonas, Guapore)
his permission, given in 1998. See notes under and Bolivia (La Paz, Beni).
—
Aphemisia. Includedspecies. Centris(S.)flnvilabrisMocsary,1899
and C. (S.) fusciventris Mocsarv, 1899.
LITERATURE CITED
Ayala, R. 1998. Sistematica supraespecifica de las abejas de la tribu systematics. JournaloftheKansasEntomologicalSociety 54:95-123.
Centridini (Hvmenoptera: Apoidea). Doctoral Dissertation in Snelling, R. R. 1966. The taxonomy and nomenclatureofsome North
Sciences (Zoology), Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, AmericanbeesofthegenusCentriswithdescriptionsofnewspecies
iv+280pp. (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae). Contributions to Science, Los
Michencr, C. D. 1944. Comparative external morphology, phylogeny, AngelesCountyMuseumofNatural History 112:1-33.
and aclassificationofthebees. BulletinoftheAmerican Museum Snelling, R. R. 1974. Notes on thedistribution and taxonomyofsome
ofNaturalHistor\' 82:151-326. North American Coifr/'s (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae).
Michener, C. D. 1951. Subgeneric groups of Hcinitna (Hymenoptera, ContributionstoScience,LosAngelesCountv MuseumofNatural
Apidae). JournaloftheKansasEntomologicalSociety 24:1-11. History 259:1^1.
Michener,C.D. 1954. BeesofPanama. BulletinoftheAmericanMuseum Snelling, R. R. 1984. Studies on the taxonomv and distribution of
ofNaturalHistory 104:1-176. ."Xmerican eentridine bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae).
Michener,C. D. 2000.'TheBeesofthe Worhl. Baltimore, Maryland: The ContributionstoScience,Los.AngelesCountvMuseumofNatural
JohnsHopkinsUniversityPress,xiv+|ll+913pp. History 347:1-69.
Michener,C.D.,andR.VV.Brooks. 1984. Comparativestudyoftheglossae Stephen, W. P., G. E. Bohart, and P. R Torchio. 1969. The Biohgi/and
ofbees.ContributionsoftheAmericanEntomologicalInstitute 22:1- External Morpholcgi/ of Bees. With a S\/nop'sis of the Genera of
73. NortliwesteniAmerica.Corvallis,Oregon:AgriculturalExperimental
Moure,J.S. 1945. NotessobreosEpicharitina(Hvmenoptera,Apoidea). Station,OregonStateUniversity[2J+140pp.
RevistadeEntomologia[RiodeJaneiro] 16:293-314. Winston, M. L. 1979. The proboscis of the long-tongued bees: A
Neff, J. L., and B. B. Simpson. 1981. Oil-collecting structures in the comparative study. University ofKansas Science Bulletin 51:631-
Anthophoridae(Hymenoptera): Morphology, function, and usein 667.
