RESUMO

The biodiversity of Ecuadorian stingless bees is almost 200 species. Traditional pot-honey harvest in Ecuador is mostly done from nests of the three genera selected here Geotrigona Moure, 1943, Melipona Illiger, 1806, and Scaptotrigona Moure, 1942. The 20 pot-honey samples collected from cerumen pots and three ethnic honeys "abeja de tierra", "bermejo", and "cushillomishki" were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative targeted 1H-NMR honey profiling, and for the Honey Authenticity Test by Interphase Emulsion (HATIE). Extensive data of targeted organic compounds (41 parameters) were identified, quantified, and described. The three honey types were compared by ANOVA. Amino acids, ethanol, hydroxymethylfurfural, aliphatic organic acids, sugars, and markers of botanical origin. The number of phases observed with the HATIE were one in Scaptotrigona and three in Geotrigona and Melipona honeys. Acetic acid (19.60 ± 1.45 g/kg) and lactic acid (24.30 ± 1.65 g/kg) were particularly high in Geotrigona honey (in contrast to 1.3 g/kg acetic acid and 1.6 g/kg lactic acid in Melipona and Scaptotrigona), and with the lowest fructose + glucose (18.39 ± 1.68) g/100g honey compared to Melipona (52.87 ± 1.75) and Scaptotrigona (52.17 ± 0.60). Three local honeys were tested using PCA (Principal Component Analysis), two were assigned with a correct declared bee origin, but "bermejo" was not a Melipona and grouped with the Scaptotrigona cluster. However after HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) the three honeys were positioned in the Melipona-Scaptotrigona cluster. This research supports targeted 1H-NMR-based profiling of pot-honey metabolomics approach for multi-parameter visualization of organic compounds, as well as descriptive and pertained multivariate statistics (HCA and PCA) to discriminate the stingless bee genus in a set of Geotrigona, Melipona and Scaptotrigona honey types. The NMR characterization of Ecuadorian honey produced by stingless bees emphasizes the need for regulatory norms. A final note on stingless bee markers in pot-honey metabolites which should be screened for those that may extract phylogenetic signals from nutritional traits of honey. Scaptotrigona vitorum honey revealed biosurfactant activity in the HATIE, originating a fingerprint Honey Biosurfactant Test (HBT) for the genus in this set of pot-honeys.

RESUMO

Taxonomic notes are provided on species of the uncommonly encountered ripiphorid subfamily Pelecotominae. Zapotecotomasumichrasti gen. et sp. nov., is described from southern Mexico based on a unique male likely collected in the later part of the mid-19th Century. The discovery of additional species of the South African genus Clinops Gerstaecker permit a revised diagnosis and distinction of the group from the eastern Mediterranean genus Scotoscopus Brenske and Reitter, resurrected status. Two new species of Clinops are established: Clinopsinexpectatus sp. nov. (northeast of Durban near Swaziland) and C.perpessus sp. nov. (region of Durban), and Scotoscopusspectabilis (Schaufuss) is newly recorded for the Peloponnese in Greece.

RESUMO

Males of the neotropical bee genus Ruizantheda Moure sensu lato (Halictinae: Caenohalictini) differ from those of other caenohalictine genera in having the outer gonostylar plate with a large membranous region that extends to the ventral region, and the ventral gonostylar lobe retrorse. These features permit the placement of six additional species described here, four of which are new, in the genus in this broader sense. The males of these six species share the following characteristics: profemur swollen; mesofemur exceedingly swollen; mesotibia slightly swollen with flat, minutely ridged ventral area and small apical tooth; S4 shortened medially, commonly largely hidden under S3, with transverse median depression and apical margin emarginate; apicolateral lobes of S4 with tuft of branched setae and stout, simple, recurved setae on margin; S5 with U-shaped gradulus and setal patch, sometimes inconspicuous; outer lateral expansion of penis valve bilobed, and median posterior margin of volsella strongly angulate. Together, these species constitute a new group within Ruizantheda and share with the previously known Ruizantheda inca Coelho, Felizardo, Engel, R. aerugineus Coelho, Felizardo, Engel, and R. kallos Coelho, Felizardo, Engel, a short outer gonostylar plate, terminating before the apex of the main gonostylar lobe as well as the presence of long setae on its dorsal surface. In other species of Ruizantheda the outer gonostylar plate extends beyond the apex of the main gonostylar lobe and lacks setae. The species comprising this distinctive subgroup of Ruizantheda, and treated herein, are: R. nigra n. sp., R. colombiana n. sp., R. venezuelana n. sp., R. baeri (Vachal) n. comb., R. pilosa n. sp., and R. gaullei (Vachal) n. comb. Two of the new species expand the distribution of the genus northward into Colombia and Venezuela. In addition to the description and illustration of the species, an updated key to the species of Ruizantheda s. l. is provided.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Abstract The first gynandromorph of the insect order Zoraptera is reported. A gynandromorph of Zorotypus brasiliensis Silvestri is described from a likely parthenogenetic population in the Atlantic Forest around the border of the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. As has been previously surmised for this species, the sample consisted of only females, tending to support the hypothesis of thelytokous parthenogenesis for this population. The gynandromorph is largely female in outward appearance, but exhibits male secondary sexual traits on the left side of the apical abdominal segments. The left (male) antenna consists of antennomeres of different proportions to those of the right (female) antenna. The internal genitalia and associated sclerites, however, are female although some are augmented in their form relative to normal-type females. Comments are made on possible factors resulting in the development of the gynandromorph. This is the 16th insect order with gynandromorphism reported.

RESUMO

Males of Ruizantheda Moure sensu lato differ from males of other Caenohalictina in having the outer gonostylar plate with a large membranous region that extends to the ventral region, and the ventral gonostylus in the form of a retrorse lobe. These features permit the placement of three new species described here in the genus in this broader sense. However, despite having simple mandibles, they do not have the traits considered as apomorphies of Ruizantheda s. str. or Ruizantheda + Oragapostemon Cure by earlier authors, and neither do they possess features of Ruizanthedella Moure. Moreover, in the new species, the outer gonostylar plate is short, ending before the apex of the main gonostylar lobe and has long setae on its dorsal surface, while in other Ruizantheda, the outer gonostylar plate extends beyond the apex of the main gonostylar lobe and lacks setae. Additionally, two of the new species have a distribution different from those of most Ruizantheda-Ruizantheda inca n. sp. is found in Ancash, Peru and R. aerugineus n. sp. in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Instead of including the three species in a new genus, we believe that it is more reasonable to maintain the status of Ruizantheda sensu Michener and until a new phylogenetic analysis of the entire subtribe, inclusive of the species newly established here, is completed. The three new species, known only by the male, are described and illustrated, and a key to the species of Ruizantheda s. l. is provided. The homologies between the gonostylar structures, mainly those related to the dorsal gonostylar process, of males of Ruizantheda, Caenohalictus Cameron, and Pseudagapostemon Schrottky are discussed.

Assuntos

RESUMO

A new species of the scelionine genus Macroteleia Westwood (Platygastridae s.l., Scelioninae) is described and figured from a female beautifully preserved in Middle Miocene amber from Peru. Macroteleia yaguarum Perrichot & Engel, sp. n., shows a unique combination of characters otherwise seen independently within its congeners. It is most similar to the modern M. surfacei Brues, but differs from it by the non-foveolate notauli, the contiguous punctures of the vertex, and the continuous propodeum. The new species is the first New World fossil of the genus, suggesting a Cretaceous origin for the group and a relatively old age of the South American, tropical African, and Australian faunas, and a younger age of the modern Holarctic faunas.

RESUMO

Three new species of orchid bees are described and figured from the Amazon and Atlantic forests of Brazil. Euglossa clausisp. n., Euglossa moratoisp. n., and Euglossa pepeisp. n. are distinguished from their close congeners Euglossa crassipunctata Moure, Euglossa parvula Dressler, and Euglossa sapphirina Moure, previously placed in the subgenus Euglossa (Glossurella) Dressler, 1982, a demonstrably paraphyletic assemblage requiring serious reconsideration. Their affinities with related species are discussed and pertinent characters are figured.

RESUMO

A third species of the rare augochlorine bee genus Chlerogelloides Engel et al. (Halictinae, Augochlorini) is described and figured. Chlerogelloides nexosasp. n. is most similar to the type species, Chlerogelloides femoralis Engel et al., in that both have modified midlegs in the males. The former, however, can be distinguished on the basis of its terminalia, which in some respects more closely resembles those of Chlerogelloides simplex Engel and Brooks. Brief comments on the secondary features of males and relationships of the genus are provided. A key to the species of the genus is provided and floral records of Cordia nodosa Lam. (Boraginaceae) and Gonzalagunia dicocca Cham. & Schltdl. (Rubiaceae) are noted.

RESUMO

A new species of the Neotropical stingless bee genus Geotrigona Moure from the Caribbean coast of Colombia is described and figured. Geotrigona joearroyoisp. n. belongs to the fulvohirta species group and is distinguished on the basis of color and type of pubescence on the metasomal terga. New geographical records and an updated key to the species of Geotrigona are provided.

RESUMO

A new study of a surviving syntype of Trigona meadewaldoi Cockerell, 1915, was undertaken and several widely employed names for Neotropical stingless bees recognized as junior synonyms. A lectotype is designated for Trigona meadewaldoi and the following new synonymies established: Tetragona francoi Moure, 1946, and Trigona (Frieseomelitta) freiremaiai Moure, 1963. These nomenclatural matters are here settled and the species thoroughly characterized in advance of a forthcoming phylogenetic consideration of the genus Frieseomelitta von Ihering, 1912.