New genera of melikertine bees with facial modifications in Baltic amber (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.i103.15655Abstract
The tribe Melikertini (Apinae: Corbiculata) is an extinct group of highly eusocial bees presently known only from early to late Eocene deposits of Eurasia. Among melikertine diversity are a suite of species peculiar for their rather dramatic morphological specializations, at least in relation to modern corbiculate Apinae. Here we document two new species of Melikertini and utilize standard X-ray as well as propagation phase contrast synchrotron computed microtomography to further explore these and previously known species, revealing finer details not previously observable from melikertines. Accordingly, some species placed in the genera Melikertes Engel and Succinapis Engel are reëvaluated. Three new genera are characterized, as well as some further facial modifications not previously known for the tribe. New taxa and taxonomic changes presented are: Aethemelikertes emunctorii Engel, new genus and species; Haidomelikertes uraeus Engel, new genus and species; H. proboscidea (Engel), new combination; Amelikertotes Engel, new genus; Amelikertotes clypeata (Engel), new combination. Additionally, new records and taxonomic notes on other Baltic amber and Eocene bees are appended, with the following nomenclatural changes established: Palaeomacropis Michez & Nel is recognized as a megachiline rather than a melittid, and is transferred to Megachilinae where it is a new junior synonym of Ctenoplectrella Cockerell (new synonymy); Ctenoplectrella eocenica (Michez & Nel), new combination; a key is provided to species of Ctenoplectrella; Thaumastobombina Engel, new subtribe in Electrapini; Thnetobombus Engel, new subgenus in Protobombus Cockerell; Mesomelissa Engel, new subgenus in Electrapis Cockerell; Electrapis (Euglossopteryx) biesmeijeri (De Meulemeester et al.), new combination. A list of Eocene bees is appended.
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