identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
03CBE758FF853F6CFDAF2E6F63F9FC7E.text	03CBE758FF853F6CFDAF2E6F63F9FC7E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Brachymelecta Linsley 1939	<div><p>Genus Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939</p> <p>Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939: 458.</p> <p>Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939: 450, syn. nov.</p> <p>Melectomorpha Linsley, 1939: 451, syn. nov.</p> <p>Nesomelecta Michener, 1948: 15, syn. nov.</p> <p>Diagnosis for Brachymelecta</p> <p>Brachymelecta (previously Xeromelecta) is an exclusively New World genus of small to mid-sized (8–16 mm) non-metallic anthophoriform bees, for which the following morphological features in combination constitute a diagnosis: the inner ramus of each tarsal claw of the mid- and hind legs is broad, lobe-like, and thus does not resemble the outer ramus (Fig. 2A–B) (this feature is unique among North American Melectini but also exhibited by many species of Melecta from the Old World (e.g., M. albifrons) as well as many other groups of cleptoparasitic bees, Michener 2007); the distitarsi of all legs have arolia (Hurd &amp; Linsley 1951: pl. 11f); the marginal cell of each fore wing extends little (if at all) beyond the third submarginal crossvein (or, if the wing has only two submarginal cells, the second submarginal crossvein, which is equivalent morphologically to the third because it is the second that is lost) (e.g., Fig. 3A; see also Engel &amp; Michener 2012: fig. 4 to see this feature in the M.? mucida holotype); vein cu-v of each hind wing is distinctly longer than the second abscissa of vein M+Cu (Engel &amp; Michener 2012: fig. 5) (this feature is unique to Ericrocidini, Melectini, and Rhathymini, Roig- Alsina &amp; Michener 1993; Michener 2007); in both pairs of wings, most closed cells are hairless and the region beyond the veins of each wing is strongly papillate (e.g., Fig. 3A; see also Engel &amp; Michener 2012: figs 4–5 to see this feature in the M.? mucida holotype); and most pale hairs (if present) on T1 are distinctly shorter than the longest hairs on the mesosoma (e.g., Fig. 3A–C).</p> <p>All species of Brachymelecta except B. larreae have well-defined metasomal fasciae comprised of short, appressed, branched pale hairs (e.g., Fig. 3A–C), and may thus superficially resemble other cleptoparasitic Apidae (subfamily Nomadinae), most notably various Epeolini, Ericrocis Cresson, 1887 (Ericrocidini), and Hexepeolus Linsley &amp; Michener, 1937 (Hexepeolini). Brachymelecta can be readily distinguished from the aforementioned taxa by the length of the marginal cell of the fore wing, which in the non-melectine nomadines extends well beyond the third submarginal crossvein (or second submarginal crossvein if the wing has only two submarginal cells). In contrast to Epeolini and Hexepeolus (but not Ericrocis), female Brachymelecta in ventral view show six recognizable metasomal sterna, with S6 tapering (in female Nomadinae sensu Michener 2007, S6 is largely if not entirely retracted and commonly emarginate or bifid). Brachymelecta can be further distinguished from any Epeolini by their axillae, which in the latter are produced to rounded lobes, angles, or spines (in Brachymelecta, the axillae continue the contour of the mesoscutellum, as in Ericrocis and Hexepeolus). Species of Brachymelecta, especially B. larreae, may also be confused with Melecta, but in New World Melecta spp. the inner ramus of each tarsal claw is narrow, pointed, and thus resembles the outer ramus (Fig. 2C), and T1 has long, pale hairs, similar in length to those on the dorsum of the mesosoma. Additionally, whereas in male Brachymelecta from North America each flagellomere except F1 is distinctly wider than long (L/ W ratio ≤ 0.8), in male Melecta each flagellomere is at most as wide as long (L/W ratio = 0.9–1.0). In males of the Antillean species of Brachymelecta, the flagellomeres are longer, as in Melecta, but given that the three species are the only melectines known to occur in the Caribbean, they can easily be separated from all other melectine genera by geography. The absence of arolia in Zacosmia readily distinguishes the genus from both Brachymelecta and Melecta.</p> <p>Remarks</p> <p>We present Brachymelecta as the replacement name for Xeromelecta at the generic level. This nomenclatural act was prompted by the recognition of the lectotype of Melecta californica and holotype of M.? mucida as belonging to the same species. The holotype of M.? mucida agrees with the diagnosis for the genus Brachymelecta provided herein, which corresponds to the former genus Xeromelecta. Most notably, the inner ramus of each tarsal claw of the mid- and hind legs is broad, lobe-like, and thus does not resemble the outer ramus, as in all species formerly placed in Xeromelecta (see Fig. 2A–B). In their redescription of Brachymelecta mucida, Engel &amp; Michener (2012) also noted the similarity between the tarsal claws of the M.? mucida holotype and X. californica.</p> <p>Evidence that the morphological features exhibited by the holotype of M.? mucida fall within the range of variation observed within B. californica is presented in the ‘Remarks’ section for B. californica (vide infra). Melecta californica was described earlier, so the epithet ‘ californica ’ is the senior synonym to be used in reference to the species. Prior to the present study, the name used for this species was Xeromelecta californica. The name Xeromelecta was elevated to the rank of a genus by Hurd &amp; Linsley (1951), after Brachymelecta had already been established as a generic name, by Linsley (1939). The two names were published simultaneously, but Xeromelecta was originally described as a subgenus of Melecta whereas Brachymelecta was described as a separate genus altogether into which M.? mucida was placed, the first among what are now understood to be its congeners to be placed in a new genus. According to article 24.1. of the code of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), when synonyms are published simultaneously but proposed at different ranks, the name proposed at the higher rank takes precedence. Therefore, even though M.? mucida is herein regarded as a junior synonym at the species level, Brachymelecta is regarded as the senior synonym for the genus.</p> <p>Since B. mucida was established as the type species of its genus by original designation and monotypy, its senior synonym (B. californica) is herein regarded as the type species for the genus Brachymelecta. Under its former genus, the type species was placed in the subgenus Melectomorpha. Since article 44 of the code of the ICZN stipulates that (in a genus containing subgenera) the subgenus that contains the type species must be denoted by the same name as the genus, the subgenus Melectomorpha is herein recognized as no longer valid. Besides, according to the results of our phylogenetic analysis (presented below), Melectomorpha is paraphyletic, with its two members, B. californica and B. interrupta, not sister to one another but with B. interrupta sister to B. larreae, the only species in the subgenus Xeromelecta. Although Nesomelecta was found to constitute a natural group, to maintain its status as a valid subgenus would require the other three species of Brachymelecta to each be placed in their own separate subgenus or for B. interrupta to be placed in the same subgenus as B. larreae. As four or even three subgenera for a genus of six species is arguably a case of overclassification, the names Xeromelecta, Melectomorpha, and Nesomelecta are herein synonymized under Brachymelecta.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CBE758FF853F6CFDAF2E6F63F9FC7E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Onuferko, Thomas M.;Packer, Laurence;Genaro, Julio A.	Onuferko, Thomas M., Packer, Laurence, Genaro, Julio A. (2021): Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939, previously the rarest North American bee genus, was described from an aberrant specimen and is the senior synonym for Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939. European Journal of Taxonomy 754: 1-51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393
03CBE758FF8B3F69FDC1297E6298FC6B.text	03CBE758FF8B3F69FDC1297E6298FC6B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Brachymelecta alayoi (Michener 1988)	<div><p>Brachymelecta alayoi (Michener, 1988)</p> <p>Figs 3, 4A, 17</p> <p>Xeromelecta alayoi Michener, 1988: 377 (♀), figs 1–4.</p> <p>Proposed common name</p> <p>Alayo’s digger-cuckoo bee.</p> <p>Diagnosis</p> <p>Unique within the genus to B. alayoi are each of the following morphological features: the mesoscutum has a well-defined band of yellow hairs along the midline that does not attain its posterior margin (Fig. 3B, D); each mesotibia of the female has a patch of yellow hairs that occupies nearly its entire dorsal surface (Fig. 3A); and the mesoscutellum, except for the pair of spines and around their bases, is densely covered in yellow pubescence, such that the underlying integument is greatly obscured (Fig. 3D). Brachymelecta alayoi most closely resembles B. haitensis, a Hispaniolan species, but in B. haitensis the mesoscutum and mesoscutellum both have well-defined bands of pale yellow hairs along the entire midline that connect and thus give the appearance of a single band; the mesoscutellum sometimes also has pale yellow hairs laterally, but the pubescence is otherwise dark brown or black, sparse, and does not obscure the underlying integument; each mesotibia of the female dorsally has a large glabrous area between a submedial band of off-white to pale yellow hairs (nearer the base than apex) and a band on the apical margin; and the T1–T3 fasciae of the male are complete. Brachymelecta alayoi is the only species in the genus known to occur in Cuba, where it is endemic.</p> <p>Material examined</p> <p>Primary type material</p> <p>CUBA • ♀, holotype (studied from images); Pinar del Río, Rancho Mundito, Sierra de los Órganos; 4 Jul. 1947; F. de Zayas and V.J. Ferras leg.; KUNHM 1461055.</p> <p>DNA barcoded material</p> <p>Unavailable.</p> <p>Non-barcoded material</p> <p>CUBA • 1 ♂; Artemisa, Pan de Guajaibón; Jun. 1987; R. Alayo leg.; PCYU • 1 ♂; Artemisa, Soroa; Aug. 1990; J.A. Genaro leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; Santiago de Cuba, La Gran Piedra, Sierra Maestra; May 1955; P. Alayo leg.; JAG • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; Jun. 2001; J.A. Genaro leg.; JAG.</p> <p>Redescription</p> <p>Female</p> <p>MEASUREMENTS. Length 11.2 mm (11 mm for holotype; Michener 1988); ITW 2.7 mm; head length 2.7 mm; head width 3.3 mm; fore wing length 8.6 mm (9 mm for holotype; Michener 1988).</p> <p>INTEGUMENT COLORATION. Dark brown to black except as follows. Mandible with apical third golden yellow in non-type specimen. Mandible with basal two-thirds, labrum, flagellum with ventral surface (in non-type specimen), tip of mesoscutellar spine, and legs, excluding dark brown coxae and tibial spurs, reddish orange. Tegula amber. Fore wing dusky subhyaline throughout, slightly darker beyond venation. Hind wing dusky subhyaline to hyaline. Much of metasoma with reddish tinge in non-type specimen.</p> <p>PUBESCENCE. Face with hairs dense throughout except clypeus with lower quarter and area around ocelli mostly exposed, predominantly pale to golden yellow but dark brown/black around ocelli. Head with dense, erect hairs along preoccipital ridge almost entirely pale to golden yellow. Genal beard hairs predominantly pale to golden yellow. Mesoscutum sparsely hairy except densely hairy anteriorly and along margins, with hairs short, appressed, and predominantly dark brown/gray except for small patch of golden-yellow hairs on each side along anterior margin between midline and pronotal lobe, pair of central spots of golden-yellow hairs and narrow longitudinal band posterior to each extending to axilla, well-defined band of golden-yellow hairs along most of midline (not attaining posterior margin), and pale to golden-yellow hairs along margins. Axilla with conspicuous patch of black hairs. Mesoscutellum, except for pair of spines and around their bases, densely covered in golden-yellow pubescence greatly obscuring underlying integument. Metanotum with long, erect/suberect golden-yellow hairs, densest medially. Propodeum with erect, predominantly pale to golden-yellow hairs. Mesopleuron with (pale to golden-yellow) hairs moderately dense ventrally as well as between two sparsely hairy circular patches (one beneath base of fore wing (hypoepimeral area), a larger one occupying much of ventrolateral half of mesopleuron). Legs, from coxae to tarsi, with appressed and erect pale to golden-yellow hairs. Profemur with posteroventral fringe of dense, pale yellow hairs. Protibia covered in sparse to moderately dense pale to golden-yellow hairs. Mesotibia and metatibia each with patch of moderately dense short, appressed pale to golden-yellow hairs, occupying nearly entire dorsal surface (with sparsely hairy ovate patch in basal quarter). T1–T4 with well-defined medially interrupted apical fasciae, each with lobe-like anterolateral extension on each side with erect among appressed golden-yellow hairs except that of T2 with pair of anterolateral extensions on each side. T3 and T4 each with fascia laterally removed from apical margin, narrowed or interrupted mesad each anterolateral extension. T5 and T6 without fasciae. Exposed metasomal sterna mainly with short, appressed pale yellow hairs.</p> <p>SURFACE SCULPTURE. Labrum and clypeus (except medially in lower quarter where sparsely punctate) with punctures equally dense (most i≤1d). Clypeus with many smaller punctures among large ones. Integument lateral to lateral ocellus punctate. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with fine punctures, not much coarser than those of metasomal terga. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with punctures equally dense (most i&lt;1d) and similar in size. Mesopleuron with denser (most i&lt;1d) punctures in upper half than ventrolateral half (many i=1–2d), interspaces well-defined and shining. Discs of metasomal terga with punctures very fine, dense (i≈1d), interspaces dull due to tessellate surface microsculpture.</p> <p>STRUCTURE. Mandible tridentate, with small inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from base and slightly larger inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from apex as well as usual large apical tooth (rutellum) (difficult to see in holotype because mandibles closed; described from nontype specimen). Maxillary palpus apparently with one palpomere (three according to Michener 1988) (mouthparts not extended in holotype; described from non-type specimen). Scape with greatest length 2.2 × greatest width. F2 nearly as long as wide (L/W ratio = 0.9). Mesoscutellum strongly bigibbous, with pair of long, acute, subparallel spines, directed posteriorly. Lateral surface of propodeum posterior to spiracle with rugose crescent ridge, strongly carinate above and joining anterior lip of spiracle (difficult to see in holotype because integument obscured by dense pubescence; described from non-type specimen). Fore wing with two submarginal cells (second submarginal crossvein present but incomplete in both fore wings of all known specimens, including only paratype; Michener 1988). T6 with narrow, V-shaped but apically rounded pygidial plate with median longitudinal ridge.</p> <p>Male</p> <p>Description as for female except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: scape shorter, with greatest length 1.8 × greatest width; mesotibia with patch of very dense, short, appressed, pale to golden-yellow hairs, denser than hairs on mesotibia of female and metatibia of both sexes; T5 with</p> <p>small patches of pale yellow hairs along anterior margin of apical impressed area; T7 with slight median emargination.</p> <p>Distribution</p> <p>This species is known only from Cuba and is the only species of Brachymelecta known to occur in the country (Fig. 4A).</p> <p>Ecology</p> <p>Host records</p> <p>Unknown. Given that New World Melectini have been associated only with anthophorine bees (mostly Anthophora Latreille, 1803 spp.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Anthophorinae), presumably B. alayoi is a cleptoparasite of one or both species of Anthophora — A. atrata Cresson, 1865 and A. hilaris Smith, 1879 — known to occur in Cuba (see Brooks 1999).</p> <p>Floral records</p> <p>Unknown.</p> <p>Remarks</p> <p>The male of B. alayoi is described here for the first time. The only (female) paratype (figs 2, 4 in Michener 1988) is meant to have been deposited in the USNM but does not appear to be there (S.G. Brady and E. Okonski, personal communication, 2019).</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CBE758FF8B3F69FDC1297E6298FC6B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Onuferko, Thomas M.;Packer, Laurence;Genaro, Julio A.	Onuferko, Thomas M., Packer, Laurence, Genaro, Julio A. (2021): Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939, previously the rarest North American bee genus, was described from an aberrant specimen and is the senior synonym for Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939. European Journal of Taxonomy 754: 1-51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393
03CBE758FF8E3F7DFDF4296A6441FE21.text	03CBE758FF8E3F7DFDF4296A6441FE21.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Brachymelecta californica (Cresson 1878)	<div><p>Brachymelecta californica (Cresson, 1878)</p> <p>Figs 1, 2A–B, 4B, 5, 6A–B, 7–8, 12A, 17</p> <p>Melecta californica Cresson, 1878: 91 (♀, ♂); Cresson, 1916: 114 (♂) (lectotype designation). Melecta ? mucida Cresson, 1879: 205 (♂), syn. nov.</p> <p>Melecta miranda Fox, 1893: 143 (♀).</p> <p>Pseudomelecta pasadenensis Cockerell, 1910: 27 (♀).</p> <p>Melecta sladeni Viereck, 1924: 15 (♀).</p> <p>Proposed common name</p> <p>California digger-cuckoo bee.</p> <p>Diagnosis</p> <p>The following morphological features in combination can be used to tell B. californica apart from all other Brachymelecta: the mesoscutum has a pair of anterior spots or (paramedian) bands of hairs darker than the surrounding off-white hairs (Fig. 5B); the mesoscutellum has a pair of short, mammiform tubercles (Fig. 5D); the fore wings are infuscate apically, with most cells as well as the membrane around the third submarginal crossvein (or second submarginal crossvein if the wing has only two submarginal cells) and second recurrent vein subhyaline (Fig. 5A–C); and T3 and T4 each have a medially interrupted fascia that is narrowed or interrupted (as opposed to continuously expanded) laterally, mesad the inner pair of anterolateral extensions (there are two such lobe-like extensions on each side) (Fig. 5A–C). Brachymelecta californica is most similar to B. interrupta, but in B. interrupta the fore wings are infuscate throughout except around the third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein, where they are subhyaline, and T3 and T4 each have a medially interrupted fascia that is broadened anterolaterally, that of T3 into the inner pair of anterolateral extensions. Additionally, in B. interrupta the lighter hairs covering the head, mesosoma, and metasoma range from pale yellow to yellow orange, whereas in B. californica they are off-white or very rarely pale yellow.</p> <p>Material examined</p> <p>Primary type material</p> <p>CANADA • ♀, M. sladeni holotype; British Columbia, Summerland; 9 Aug. 1916; F.W.L. Sladen leg.; CNC 652.</p> <p>USA • ♂, M. californica lectotype; California; “ H. Edwards, Behrens”; ANSP 2292 • ♀, P. pasadenensis holotype; Pasadena, Los Angeles County; 30 Apr. 1909; F. Grinnell Jr. leg.; CAS 15525 • ♂, M.? mucida holotype; Nevada; H.K. Morrison leg.; ANSP 2294 • ♀, M. miranda holotype; South Dakota, Rapid City; J.T. Aldrich leg.; ANSP 10129.</p> <p>Secondary type material</p> <p>CANADA • 1 ♀, M. sladeni paratype; British Columbia, Westbank; 20 Jul. 1919; E.R. Buckell leg.; CNC 891698.</p> <p>USA • 6 ♂♂, M. californica paralectotypes; California; “ H. Edwards, Behrens”; ANSP 2292-3 to 2292- 8 • 1 ♀, M. miranda paratype; South Dakota, Custer; J.T. Aldrich leg.; ANSP 10129.</p> <p>DNA barcoded material</p> <p>Available. Two BINs:</p> <p>BOLD:AAC6481. Specimens examined and sequenced:</p> <p>CANADA • 1 ♀; British Columbia, White Lake (Okanagan Falls), Regional District of Okanagan- Similkameen; 49.3028° N, 119.6286° W; 17 Aug. 2008; L.R. Best leg.; BOLD sample ID: LRBBC1015; PCYU LRB-445.</p> <p>USA • 1 ♂; Arizona, Catalina Hwy (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-110.7128&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=32.3636" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -110.7128/lat 32.3636)">Santa Catalina Mountains</a>), Pima County; 32.3636° N, 110.7128° W; 29 May 2015; T.M. Onuferko leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570 A09; PCYU • 1 ♀; Arizona, Catalina Hwy (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-110.7064&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=32.3242" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -110.7064/lat 32.3242)">Santa Catalina Mountains</a>), Pima County; 32.3242° N, 110.7064° W; 10 May 2016; T.M. Onuferko leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570 B02; PCYU • 1 ♂; Arizona, Near Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix), Maricopa County; 31 May 2018; T.M. Onuferko leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB- 34570 A11; PCYU • 1 ♂; Arizona, SE of Willcox, Cochise County; 32.2350° N, 109.7785° W; 30 Aug. 2016; L. Packer leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570 A05; PCYU • 1 ♀; Colorado, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-108.59&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=37.357" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -108.59/lat 37.357)">Cortez</a>, Montezuma County; 37.3570° N, 108.5900° W; 27 Jul. 2012; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-06707 F05; PCYU PCYU-GS-07:870 • 1 ♀; New Mexico, NM 15 (16.7 mi N of Silver City), <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-108.1978&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=32.9462" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -108.1978/lat 32.9462)">Gila National Forest</a>; 32.9462° N, 108.1978° W; 5 Sep. 2015; R.R. Ferrari leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570 A03; PCYU • 1 ♀; Oregon, Hwy 140, Klamath County; 42.2132° N, 121.8306° W; 2 Jul. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; BOLD sample ID: 07-OR-1265; PCYU PYU-2308.</p> <p>BOLD:AAC6482. Specimens examined and sequenced:</p> <p>USA • 1 ♂; California, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-118.0386&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=35.6658" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -118.0386/lat 35.6658)">Isabella Walker Pass Road</a> (10.4 mi E of Onyx), Kern County; 35.6658° N, 118.0386° W; 12 Sep. 2015; T.M. Onuferko and S. Tessier leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570 A01; PCYU • 1 ♀; California, Near Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge), Los Angeles County; 25 May 2018; T.M. Onuferko leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570A07; PCYU • 1 ♀; <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-115.4765&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=43.2842" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -115.4765/lat 43.2842)">Idaho</a>, Hwy 20 (20 km E of Mountain Home), Elmore County; 43.2842° N, 115.4765° W; 27 May 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; BOLD sample ID: 07-ID-1195; PCYU PYU-1208 • 1 ♀; <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-105.7447&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=32.9574" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -105.7447/lat 32.9574)">New Mexico</a>, Cloudcroft, Otero County; 32.9574° N, 105.7447° W; 11 Aug. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; BOLD sample ID: 07-NM- 2108; PCYU PYU-3519 • 1 ♂; <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-107.7399&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=32.8949" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -107.7399/lat 32.8949)">New Mexico</a>, Hwy 152, Sierra County; 32.8949° N, 107.7399° W; 12 Aug. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; BOLD sample ID: 07-NM-2109; PCYU PYU-3530.</p> <p>Non-barcoded material</p> <p>CANADA • 1 ♀; Alberta, Bull Trail Park (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-112.8703&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=49.6933" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -112.8703/lat 49.6933)">Lethbridge</a>); 49.6933° N, 112.8703° W; 9 Jul. 2020; M. Buck leg.; RAM PMAE00156227 • 1 ♀; Alberta, Bull Trail Park (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-112.8714&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=49.6964" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -112.8714/lat 49.6964)">Lethbridge</a>); 49.6964° N, 112.8714° W; 9 Jul. 2020; M. Buck leg.; RAM PMAE00156145 • 6 ♀♀; Alberta, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-112.9481&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=51.9417" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -112.9481/lat 51.9417)">Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park</a>, Kneehill County; 51.9417° N, 112.9481° W; 20 Jul. 2016; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♀; Alberta, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-112.9664&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=51.9425" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -112.9664/lat 51.9425)">Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park</a>, Kneehill County; 51.9425° N, 112.9664° W; 20–21 Jul. 2016; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 2 ♂♂; Alberta, Gariepy (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-113.6194&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=53.4903" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -113.6194/lat 53.4903)">Edmonton</a>); 53.4903° N, 113.6194° W; 3 Jun. 2018; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 16 Jun. 2018; RAM • 1 ♀; Alberta, Helen Schuler Nature Reserve (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-112.8603&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=49.7008" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -112.8603/lat 49.7008)">Lethbridge</a>); 49.7008° N, 112.8603° W; 13 Jul. 2020; M. Buck leg.; RAM PMAE00156567 • 1 ♀; Alberta, Lethbridge; 11 Aug. 1944; O. Peck leg.; CNC 891702 • 1 ♀; Alberta, Milk River (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-111.7&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=49.1042" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -111.7/lat 49.1042)">Weir Bridge</a>), Warner County; 49.1042° N, 111.7000° W; 24 Jul. 2020; M. Buck leg.; RAM PMAE00157991 • 2 ♀♀; Alberta, Near Capilano Foot Bridge (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-113.4192&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=53.5642" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -113.4192/lat 53.5642)">Edmonton</a>); 53.5642° N, 113.4192° W; 17 Jun. 2018; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♂; Alberta, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-110.7758&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=50.0539" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -110.7758/lat 50.0539)">Redcliff</a>; 50.0539° N, 110.7758° W; 28 Jun. 2017; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Jun. 2017; RAM • 1 ♂; Alberta, Scandia; 21 Jul. 1928; F.W. Barnes leg.; CNC 891692 • 1 ♀; Alberta, Terwillegar Park (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-113.6189&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=53.4775" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -113.6189/lat 53.4775)">Edmonton</a>); 53.4775° N, 113.6189° W; 15 Jul. 2018; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 7 ♂♂; Alberta, Wild Horse; 10 Aug. 1927; H.E. Gray leg.; CNC 891691, 891693 to 891696, 891704, 899632 • 2 ♀♀; Alberta, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-111.8903&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=49.1033" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -111.8903/lat 49.1033)">Writing-on- Stone Provincial Park</a> (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-111.8903&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=49.1033" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -111.8903/lat 49.1033)">Coffin Bridge</a>), Warner County; 49.1033° N, 111.8903° W; 15 Jul. 2020; M. Buck leg.; RAM PMAE00156796, PMAE00156797 • 1 ♀; Alberta, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-111.6281&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=49.0708" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -111.6281/lat 49.0708)">Davis Coulee</a>), Warner County; 49.0708° N, 111.6281° W; 22 Jul. 2020; M. Buck leg.; RAM PMAE00157617 • 2 ♀♀; Manitoba, Treesbank, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-99.604&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=49.635" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -99.604/lat 49.635)">Municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress</a>; 49.6350° N, 99.6040° W; 1 Jul. 2018; Manitoba Conservation Data Centre leg.; WRME JBWM0415546, JBWM0415590.</p> <p>MEXICO • 1 ♂; Baja California Sur, San Hilario; 5 Nov. 1968; E.L. Sleeper and F.J. Moore leg.; CAS • 1 ♂; Baja California Sur, Santa Victoria La Laguna; 20 or 23 Oct. 1968; E.L. Sleeper and F.J. Moore leg.; CAS • 2 ♀♀, 7 ♂♂; Baja California Sur, Sierra La Laguna; 1 Sep. 1977; R. Westcott leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; Distrito Federal, Xochimilco; 18 Aug. 1962; H.E. Milliron; CNC 394149 • 1 ♀; Sinaloa, Mazatlán; Feb. ??53; CAS • 1 ♂; Sonora, Gran Desierto de Altar; 20 Mar. 2018; H. Knight leg.; CSUC.</p> <p>USA • 1 ♂; Arizona, 4 mi E of Willcox, Cochise County; 27 Aug. 2007; G. Rowe leg.; PCYU • 1 ♀; Arizona, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-109.7651&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=32.2388" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -109.7651/lat 32.2388)">East Moonlight Road</a>, Cochise County; 32.2388° N, 109.7651° W; 14 Aug. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; PCYU PYU-5972 • 1 ♀; Arizona, Rustler Park (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-109.2792&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=31.9039" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -109.2792/lat 31.9039)">Chiricahua Mountains</a>), Cochise County; 31.9039° N, 109.2792° W; 11 Aug. 2007; M. Buck leg.; DEBU debu00291918 • 2 ♀♀; California, 13 mi W of Coalinga; 30 Jul. ??59; CNC 891731, 891732 • 1 ♀; California, 3 mi N of Coalinga; 29 Jul. 1954; F.M. Hull leg.; CNC 891744 • 5 ♀♀; California, 28 km NE of Foresthill (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-120.6058&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=39.1856" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -120.6058/lat 39.1856)">Tahoe National Forest</a>), Placer County; 39.1856° N, 120.6058° W; 8 Jun. 2009; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♀; California, 30 km NE of Foresthill (<a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-120.5756&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=39.1894" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -120.5756/lat 39.1894)">Tahoe National Forest</a>), Placer County; 39.1894° N, 120.5756° W; 8 Jun. 2009; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♀; California, Antioch; Oct. 1938; J.A. Downes leg.; CNC 846577 • 2 ♂♂; California, CA-20 1.7 km W of Jct CA-16, Colusa County; 39.0133° N, 122.3792° W; 9 Jun. 2009; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♂; California, Cache Creek Natural Area, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-122.3558&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.9978" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -122.3558/lat 38.9978)">Cowboy Camp</a>; 38.9978° N, 122.3558° W; 9 Jun. 2009; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♀; California, Helendale, San Bernardino County; 16 May 1955; W.R. Richards leg.; CNC 891690 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 21 May 1955; W.R.M. Mason leg.; CNC 891736 • 1 ♀; California, Mill Creek, San Bernardino Mountains; 31 Aug. 1930; C.D. Michener leg.; CNC 891705 • 1 ♀; California, Mojave; 15 Oct. ??25; R. Hopping leg.; CNC 891703 • 3 ♀♀; California, Mojave Desert; 15 Oct. 1925; J.M. Swaine leg.; CNC 891697, 891700 to 891701 • 1 ♀; California, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-120.4297&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.7964" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -120.4297/lat 38.7964)">Peavine Ridge Road</a>, El Dorado County; 38.7964° N, 120.4297° W; 14 Jun. 2009; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♂; California, Sierra Nevada; ANSP • 1 ♂; California, Split Mountain (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park), San Diego County; 1 Apr. 1955; J.E.H. Martin leg.; CNC 891713 • 1 ♂; California, UCR Botanic Gardens (Riverside), Riverside County; 26 Jun. 1984; S.L. Heydon leg.; INHS 387473 • 1 ♀; Idaho, Hwy 75 (5 km N of Ketchum), Blaine County; 43.7630° N, 114.4003° W; 25 Jun. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; PCYU PYU-1515 • 2 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂; Nevada; ANSP • 1 ♂; Nevada, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-119.44&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=39.8444" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -119.44/lat 39.8444)">Pyramid Lake</a> (south shore), Washoe County; 39.8444° N, 119.4400° W; 13 Jun. 2009; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♀; New Mexico, Hwy 152, Sierra County; 32.8949° N, 107.7399° W; 12 Aug. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; PCYU PYU-2391 • 1 ♂; New Mexico, Hwy 152, Sierra County; 32.8949° N, 107.7399° W; 12 Aug. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; PCYU PYU-2392 • 1 ♀; Oregon, Fish Lake (near Steens Mountain), Harney County; 42.7419° N, 118.6461° W; 6 Aug. 2005; J. and A. Skevington leg.; CNC 891706 • 1 ♀; Oregon, Hwy 140, Klamath County; 42.2132° N, 121.8306° W; 2 Jul. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; PCYU PYU-2292 • 3 ♀♀; Oregon, Hwy 26, Crook County; 44.4721° N, 120.4197° W; 28 Jun. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; PCYU PYU-2111, PYU-2676, PYU-2682 • 1 ♀; Oregon, Hwy 97, Klamath County; 42.1224° N, 121.8273° W; 2 Jul. 2007; J. Gibbs and C.S. Sheffield leg.; PCYU PYU-2276 • 1 ♂; Texas, 23 mi W of Fort Davis; 1 Jun. 1959; F. McAlpine leg.; CNC 891707 • 1 ♀; Texas, Big Bend National Park, Boquillas; 17 May 1959; W.R.M. Mason leg.; CNC 891724 • 3 ♂♂; Texas, Big Bend National Park, Dagger Flats; 11 May 1959; W.R.M. Mason leg.; CNC 891721, 891722, 891727 • 1 ♀; Texas, Big Bend National Park, Nine Point Draw; 15 May 1959; W.R.M. Mason leg.; CNC 891725 • 1 ♂; Texas, Big Bend National Park, Panther Junction; 16 May 1959; J.F. McAlpine leg.; CNC 891723 • 1 ♀; Texas, Devils River, Del Rio; 26 Apr. 1959; J.F. McAlpine leg.; CNC 891715 • 1 ♀; Texas, Dickinson, Galveston County; Jun. 1929; F.M. Hull leg.; CNC 891734 • 1 ♀; Texas, Las Burras Canyon at FM-170, Presidio County; 29.3903° N, 104.1428° W; 28 Apr. 2019; M. Buck leg.; RAM • 1 ♂; Texas, near Point of Rocks (10 mi W of Fort Davis); 29 May 1959; F. McAlpine leg.; CNC 891720 • 1 ♂; Utah, 24 mi S of Hanksville; 18 Jul. 1968; J.E.H. Martin leg.; CNC 891733 • 3 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding; 23 Jul. 1968; CNC 891728 to 891730 • 1 ♂; Utah, Fairview Ranch (13 mi S of Hanksville); 2–3 Aug. 1968; H.F. Howden leg.; CNC 891726.</p> <p>Redescription</p> <p>Male</p> <p>MEASUREMENTS. Length 9.9 mm; ITW 2.6 mm; head length 2.7 mm; head width 3.3 mm; fore wing length 9.2 mm.</p> <p>INTEGUMENT COLORATION. Dark brown to black except as follows. Mandible with apical third golden yellow. Mandible with middle third, legs, excluding black tibial spurs, and much of metasoma reddish brown. Tegula amber. Fore wing dusky apically, with most cells and around third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein subhyaline. Hind wing hyaline, slightly dusky beyond venation.</p> <p>PUBESCENCE. Face with hairs densest around antennal socket, predominantly off-white but dark brown/ gray in lower paraocular area. Clypeus bare in M. californica lectotype, with many hairs rubbed off, but with dense hairs in multiple paralectotypes and non-type specimens and M.? mucida holotype. Upper paraocular and frontal areas and vertexal area (except along preoccipital ridge) mostly exposed. Head with dense, erect hairs along preoccipital ridge off-white except for pair of dark brown/gray patches, each behind lateral ocellus and in front of paramedian band. Genal beard hairs predominantly off-white. Mesoscutum sparsely hairy except densely hairy anteriorly and along margins, with hairs predominantly off-white except for dark brown/gray paramedian band. Axilla with conspicuous patch of black hairs. Mesoscutellum, metanotum, and propodeum with erect, predominantly off-white hairs. Mesopleuron with upper half covered in dense, off-white hairs greatly obscuring underlying integument, with large circular patch of sparser, dark brown/gray to black hairs not obscuring underlying integument occupying much of ventrolateral half, and with predominantly off-white hairs somewhat obscuring underlying integument ventrally around margin. Legs, from coxae to tarsi, with appressed and erect off-white hairs, ventrally with golden-yellow hairs. Profemur with posteroventral fringe of dense, off-white hairs. Protibia and metatibia each with two bands or spots of short, appressed off-white hairs, one in basal half and one on apical margin. Mesotibia with patch of very dense short, appressed off-white hairs, occupying nearly entire dorsal surface. T1–T5 with well-defined, medially interrupted apical fasciae, each with pair of lobe-like anterolateral extensions on each side with erect among appressed off-white hairs. T3–T5 each with fascia more widely removed from apical margin and laterally narrowed or interrupted, mesad the inner pair of anterolateral extensions. T6 almost completely retracted under T 5 in M. californica lectotype, but with paired patches of off-white tomentum in paralectotype and multiple non-type specimens. Exposed metasomal sterna mainly with short, appressed off-white hairs. S4 and S5 each with apical/subapical fringe of dense, long, curved, coppery to silvery hairs.</p> <p>SURFACE SCULPTURE. Labrum sparsely punctate (many i&gt;2d). Clypeus with upper half densely punctate (most i≤1d), lower half more sparsely punctate (many i&gt;1d). Small impunctate shiny spot lateral to lateral ocellus. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with coarser punctures than metasomal terga. Mesoscutum densely punctate (most i≤1d) except for small impunctate shiny spot between paramedian band and parapsidal line and in posterior half between midline and parapsidal line, where more sparsely punctate (many i&gt;1d). Mesoscutellum with coarser punctures than mesoscutum, densely punctate (most i≤1d) except medially (between pair of mammiform tubercles), where somewhat sparsely punctate (i≤2d). Mesopleuron densely punctate (most i&lt;1d) but with most interspaces well-defined, shining. Discs of metasomal terga with punctures very fine, sparse (most i&gt;1d), interspaces dull due to tessellate surface microsculpture.</p> <p>STRUCTURE. Mandible tridentate, with small inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from base and equally small inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from apex as well as usual large apical tooth (rutellum) (difficult to see in M. californica lectotype because mandibles closed; described from paralectotypes, non-type specimens, and M.? mucida holotype). Maxillary palpus with four palpomeres (mouthparts not extended in M. californica lectotype; described from paralectotypes and non-type specimens). Scape with greatest length 1.9 × greatest width. F2 wider than long (L/W ratio = 0.8). Mesoscutellum strongly bigibbous, with pair of short, apically flattened mammiform tubercles. Lateral surface of propodeum posterior to spiracle with rugose crescent ridge, strongly carinate above and joining anterior lip of spiracle. Fore wing with two or three submarginal cells (in M. californica lectotype, second submarginal crossvein of left fore wing incomplete, that of right fore wing complete). T7 distinctly notched medially between pair of small medioapical projections.</p> <p>Female</p> <p>Description as for male except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: scape longer, with greatest length 2.3 × greatest width; mesotibia dorsally with off-white hairs forming small band or spot, nearer the base than apex; T6 with narrow, V-shaped but apically rounded pygidial plate with median longitudinal ridge and without patches of off-white tomentum; S4 and S5 apically/subapically without dense, long, curved, coppery to silvery hairs.</p> <p>Distribution</p> <p>Brachymelecta californica is the most widely distributed member of its genus, ranging from Western Canada to southern Mexico west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (Fig. 4B). Although this species has been recorded from the Eastern United States (Mitchell 1962), it is much more common in the west, with few known records east of the Mississippi River. This is the only species of Brachymelecta known to occur in Canada.</p> <p>Ecology</p> <p>Host records</p> <p>Brachymelecta californica has been reared from the nests of multiple species of Anthophora, including A. abrupta Say, 1837, A. bomboides stanfordiana Cockerell, 1904 (a junior synonym of A. bomboides Kirby, 1838), A. edwardsii Cresson, 1878, A. linsleyi Timberlake, 1941, A. neomexicana (a junior synonym of A. bomboides), A. occidentalis Cresson, 1869, and A. urbana Cresson, 1878 (Hicks 1926; Linsley &amp; McSwain 1942; Linsley 1943; Torchio &amp; Trostle 1986; Rozen 1991). Additionally, Orr et al. (2016) documented the emergence of adults of this cuckoo bee species from nests of A. pueblo Orr, 2016.</p> <p>Floral records</p> <p>Although known to visit a very large variety of flowers, in a survey by P.H. Timberlake Brachymelecta californica was found to be most abundant on flowers of various Asteraceae (Linsley 1939). His floral records, based on collections at a single locality in Riverside, California, USA, are as follows: Brassica incana Ten. (Brassicaceae), Coreopsis lanceolata L. (Asteraceae), Croton setigerus Hook. (Euphorbiaceae) (as Eremocarpus setigerus), Cryptantha Lehm. ex G. Don (Boraginaceae), Duranta erecta L. (Verbenaceae) (as D. plumieri), Encelia farinosa A.Gray ex Torr. (Asteraceae), Ericameria palmeri (A.Gray) H.M.Hall (Asteraceae), Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. (Polygonaceae), E. gracile Benth., Gutierrezia californica (DC.) Torr. &amp; A.Gray (Asteraceae), Hemizonia paniculata A.Gray (Asteraceae), Lepidospartum squamatum (A.Gray) A.Gray (Asteraceae), Marrubium L. (Lamiaceae), Phacelia distans Benth. (Boraginaceae), Pluchea camphorata (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii (DC.) B.L.Turner &amp; T.M.Barkley (Asteraceae) (as S. douglasii), and Trichostema lanceolatum Benth. (Lamiaceae).</p> <p>Hurd (1953) reported this species on Eysenhardtia polystachya (Ortega) Sarg. (Fabaceae) and Hurd et al. (1980) on Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae) and H. gracilentus A.Gray. Floral records from data contributors to Discover Life (Ascher &amp; Pickering 2020) compiled by J. Pickering are as follows: Adenostoma Hook.&amp;Arn. (Rosaceae), Aster L.(Asteraceae), Astragalus L.(Fabaceae), Baileya Harv.&amp;A. Gray ex A. Gray (Asteraceae), Bebbia juncea (Benth.) Greene (Asteraceae), Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Hook.) Nutt. (Asteraceae), Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. (Asteraceae), Clarkia Pursh (Onagraceae), Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L.Nesom &amp; G.I.Baird, Ericameria parryi (A.Gray) G.L.Nesom &amp; G.I.Baird, Eriodictyon californicum (Hook. &amp; Arn.) Decne. (Boraginaceae), Gaillardia Foug. (Asteraceae), Grindelia Willd. (Asteraceae), Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton &amp; Rusby, Horkelia Cham. &amp; Schltdl. (Rosaceae), Larrea tridentata (Sessé &amp; Moc. ex DC.) Coville (Zygophyllaceae), Lonicera L. (Caprifoliaceae), Lorandersonia linifolia (Greene) “Urbatsch, R.P.Roberts &amp; Neubig” (Asteraceae) (as Chrysothamnus linifolius), Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. (Fabaceae), Melilotus albus Medik. (as M. alba), Monardella Benth. (Lamiaceae), Palafoxia arida B.L.Turner &amp; M.I.Morris (Asteraceae), Penstemon cyananthus Hook. (Plantaginaceae), Petrophytum caespitosum (Nutt. ex Torr. &amp; A.Gray) Rydb. (Rosaceae)(as Petrophyton caespitosum), Phacelia crenulata Torr.ex S.Watson, P.hastata Douglas ex Lehm., Salsola kali L. (Amaranthaceae), Salvia L. (Lamiaceae), Sedum stenopetalum Pursh (Crassulaceae), Senecio flaccidus Less. (as S. longilobus), Solidago L. (Asteraceae), Sphaeralcea orcuttii Rose (Malvaceae), Stanleya pinnata (Pursh) Britton (Brassicaceae), Syrmatium decumbens (Benth.) Greene (Fabaceae) (as Lotus nevadensis), Tamarix L. (Tamaricaceae), Tetradymia DC. (Asteraceae), and Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. &amp; Hook. f. ex A.Gray (Asteraceae). Images on iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.org) show this species visiting Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (Asteraceae) and images on BugGuide (https://bugguide.net) show it visiting Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae), Baccharis salicina Torr.&amp;A.Gray (Asteraceae), Centaurea nigra L. (Asteraceae), Chorizanthe staticoides Benth. (Polygonaceae), Cirsium wheeleri (A.Gray) Petr., Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt., Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér. (Geraniaceae), Lantana L. (Verbenaceae), Osteospermum L. (Asteraceae), and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae). Labels of examined voucher specimens further indicate that this species has been collected from Chilopsis D. Don (Bignoniaceae) and Sisymbrium loeselii L. (Brassicaceae).</p> <p>Remarks</p> <p>The holotype of M.? mucida generally agrees with the diagnosis for B. californica provided herein. Additionally, examination of the dissected terminalia revealed that the hidden sterna and genitalia of the M.? mucida holotype fall within the range of morphological variation observed among the five other specimens of B. californica that were dissected, including two M. californica paralectotypes. One notable feature unique to B. californica and shared by all dissected specimens (including the M.? mucida holotype) is that S7 has long setae along its entire posterior margin (Fig. 6A–B). By contrast, in B. haitensis S7 has a tuft of dense setae posteromedially (Fig. 6C) and in B. interrupta and B. larreae S7 has only a few short setae posteromedially (Fig. 6D–E). In the M.? mucida holotype, S8 is apparently damaged/split anteromedially, and thus somewhat distorted, but otherwise closely resembles that of other specimens of B. californica (Fig. 6A–B). No differences were found in the morphology of the genital capsule between the M.? mucida holotype and other specimens of B. californica, but the genitalia are also highly similar among the six species in the genus.</p> <p>The only diagnostic features that seemingly support B. mucida as a separate species include the presence of two submarginal cells on each of the two fore wings (Fig. 7A, C) and pale tomentum that obscures almost the entire dorsal surface of the metasoma (Fig. 7A–B). However, specimens of B. californica in which both fore wings have two submarginal cells are known(e.g., Fig.8A), and in multiple paralectotypes (Fig. 8B–C) and even the lectotype of M. californica, the second submarginal crossvein is incomplete in one wing, resulting in two submarginal cells, and complete in the other, resulting in three. Recently, a specimen of B. californica was collected that, like the M.? mucida holotype, has abundant pale tomentum covering the surface of the metasomal terga (Fig. 8D). This specimen has been barcoded (BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570 A03) and its sequence assigned to the BIN BOLD:AAC6481. However, the hairs on each tergum are not uniformly dense, such that distinct apical fasciae are still visible on T1–T5 (Fig. 8D). Close examination of the dorsal surface of the metasoma of the M.? mucida holotype also revealed the presence of an apical fascia on each exposed metasomal tergum comprised of short, appressed, branched pale hairs slightly denser than those covering the disc (Fig. 7A–B). Hence, the anatomical features previously considered to be diagnostic for B. mucida fall within the range of variation observed within B. californica, so the former is herein synonymized under the latter.</p> <p>In the original description, Fox (1893) described Melecta miranda (now an established junior synonym of B. californica, Hurd &amp; Linsley 1951) from an unindicated number of specimens from Rapid City and Custer, South Dakota. In the ANSP entomological collection, one specimen from Rapid City, SD bears a red label that says “TYPE No. 10129” and is in the primary type collection whereas another from Custer, SD bears a blue label that says “ PARATYPE 10129” (the catalog number is the same for both specimens) and is in the regular collection. Although in the original description it is not indicated which specimen is the primary type, that which bears the red type label, which does not say paratype, is presumed to be the holotype as there is no indication that the species was described from more than the two specimens.</p> <p>Barcoded specimens identified as B. californica (agreeing with the diagnosis for the species presented herein) were assigned one of two BINs (vide supra), which are each other’s nearest neighbors. Despite a barcode sequence divergence of 4.9% between the two MOTUs (see Supp. file 3: fig. S1), which are largely sympatric (see Fig. 4B), no consistent morphological differences were found (including in the dissected terminalia of two males that were assigned separate BINs, which fall within the range of morphological variation observed within this species). In all barcoded specimens, both fore wings have three submarginal cells, so the MOTUs cannot be identified by the number of submarginal cells on the fore wing, which in B. californica may differ between the left and right sides of the same specimen anyway.</p> <p>Melecta miranda, now synonymous with B. californica, was originally described as a separate species because of its larger body size (15.2 mm in length, excluding the protruding sting), but barcoded specimens assigned separate BINs exhibit much overlap in body length (9.9–12.1 mm for BOLD BIN AAC6481 vs 9.1–10.5 mm for AAC6482), so body size could not be linked to haplotype. Pseudomelecta pasadenensis, now synonymous with B. californica, was described as separate from B. californica and M. miranda (as P. californica and P. miranda) on the basis of exhibiting tufts of black hair above the antennal sockets as well as in the lower paraocular area (Cockerell 1910), but barcoded specimens exhibiting this feature were divided between the two groups with separate BINs. Linsley (1939) further separated B. californica (as M. californica) from P. pasadenensis (as M. pasadenensis) by whether the T1 basal declivity has a fascia (said to be present in the former and absent in the latter). However, both haplotypes are represented by specimens in which T1 has a basal fascia. Viereck (1924) described M. sladeni as a new species superficially similar to M. miranda, the primary difference being that in the former the mammiform tubercles of the mesoscutellum are more similar to those of M. (now B.) interrupta. Having examined the primary types of M. interrupta, M. miranda, and M. sladeni, we conclude that the mesoscutella of the latter two are more similar to one another than either is to the mesoscutellum of the lectotype of M. interrupta. There also does not appear to be any consistent difference in the form of the mesoscutellum between specimens of the two haplotypes. Given that the observed morphological variation is continuous and that it is possible for real species to have split (i.e., multiple) BINs (Ratnasingham &amp; Hebert 2013; see Ferrari 2017 for several examples within the bee genus Colletes Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Colletidae: Colletinae)), we recognize both series of barcoded specimens as a single species, B. californica, one in which intraspecific barcode sequence divergence is higher than might usually be expected among conspecifics.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CBE758FF8E3F7DFDF4296A6441FE21	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Onuferko, Thomas M.;Packer, Laurence;Genaro, Julio A.	Onuferko, Thomas M., Packer, Laurence, Genaro, Julio A. (2021): Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939, previously the rarest North American bee genus, was described from an aberrant specimen and is the senior synonym for Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939. European Journal of Taxonomy 754: 1-51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393
03CBE758FF9A3F79FDF02CA36165FAD7.text	03CBE758FF9A3F79FDF02CA36165FAD7.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Brachymelecta haitensis (Michener 1948) JAG	<div><p>Brachymelecta haitensis (Michener, 1948)</p> <p>Figs 4A, 6C, 9A, 10–11, 12B, 17</p> <p>Melecta haitensis Michener, 1948: 16 (♂).</p> <p>Proposed common name</p> <p>Hispaniolan digger-cuckoo bee.</p> <p>Diagnosis</p> <p>Unique within the genus to B. haitensis is that the T1–T3 fasciae of the male are complete (Fig. 9A). In all other species of Brachymelecta, at least the T2 and T3 fasciae (if present) (as well as any fasciae on the succeeding terga) are interrupted medially in males (Figs 8A–C, 9B) as well as females, except in aberrant specimens in which the metasoma is entirely covered in pale tomentum (see Fig. 7A–B). The following morphological features in combination (excluding any that are specific to the opposite sex of the one being diagnosed) can be used to tell B. haitensis apart from all other Brachymelecta except B. tibialis, a Puerto Rican/ U.S. Virgin Islands species: the mesoscutum and mesoscutellum both have well-defined bands of pale hairs along the entire midline that connect and thus give the appearance of a single band (Figs 10B, D, 11); the mesoscutellum sometimes also has pale hairs laterally but the pubescence is otherwise dark brown or black, sparse, and does not obscure the underlying integument (Fig. 10D); and each mesotibia of the female dorsally has a large glabrous area between a submedial band of off-white to pale yellow hairs (nearer the base than apex) and a band on the apical margin (Fig. 10A). Apart from the difference in the T1–T3 fasciae of the male, B. haitensis may be separated from B. tibialis as follows. Whereas in B. tibialis the T1–T3 fasciae of the female are widely interrupted medially and the lighter hairs covering the head, mesosoma, and metasoma are off-white, in B. haitensis the T1–T3 apical fasciae of the female are only narrowly interrupted medially and the lighter hairs covering the head, mesosoma, and metasoma are pale yellow. Brachymelecta haitensis is the only species in the genus known to occur in Hispaniola, where it is endemic.</p> <p>Material examined</p> <p>Holotype</p> <p>HAITI • ♂; Ouest, Port-au-Prince; G.N. Wolcott leg.; USNM 534228.</p> <p>DNA barcoded material</p> <p>Available. BIN: BOLD:AEH8436. Specimen examined and sequenced:</p> <p>DOMINICAN REPUBLIC • 1 ♂; Indepencencia, Sierra de Bahoruco, Caseta #2; 23 Nov. 2008; J.A. Genaro leg.; BOLD sample ID: CMNTO_037; JAG.</p> <p>Non-barcoded material</p> <p>DOMINICAN REPUBLIC • 2 ♂♂; Indepencencia, La Descubierta, Lago Enriquillo, Sierra de Neiba; Nov. 2006; J.A. Genaro leg.; JAG • 1 ♀, 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; PCYU • 1 ♀; La Vega, Los Tablones, La Laguna, Parque Nacional José Armando Bermúdez; 30 Jun. 2004; D. Pérez leg.; USNM RD-251.</p> <p>Redescription</p> <p>Male</p> <p>MEASUREMENTS. Length 10.3 mm; ITW 2.4 mm; head length 2.6 mm; head width 2.9 mm; fore wing length 8.6 mm.</p> <p>INTEGUMENT COLORATION. Dark brown to black except as follows. Mandible with apical third reddish brown (golden yellow in some non-type specimens). Mandible with middle third, labrum, mesoscutellum, metanotum, and legs, excluding dark brown coxae and tibial spurs (black in non-type specimens), brownish orange (reddish brown to reddish orange in multiple non-type specimens). Tegula amber. Fore wing dusky subhyaline throughout except around third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein, where hyaline (all wings badly damaged/stained in holotype; described from non-type specimens). Hind wing dusky subhyaline to hyaline. Much of antenna and metasoma reddish brown in holotype, possibly due to discoloration/fading; dark brown to black in non-type specimens.</p> <p>PUBESCENCE. Badly matted in holotype (apparently due to prior wetting); described from non-type specimens. Face with hairs densest around antennal socket, predominantly off-white/pale yellow but dark brown/gray above antennal socket and in lower paraocular area. Clypeus with upper half densely hairy; lower half nearly bare. Upper paraocular and frontal areas and vertexal area (except along preoccipital ridge and margin of compound eye) mostly exposed. Head with dense, erect hairs along preoccipital ridge off-white/pale yellow except for pair of dark brown/gray patches, each behind lateral ocellus, separated by small band of off-white/pale yellow hairs along midline between median ocellus and preoccipital ridge, seemingly continuous with band of pale hairs along midline of mesoscutum. Genal beard hairs predominantly off-white/pale yellow. Mesoscutum sparsely hairy except densely hairy anteriorly and along margins, with hairs short, appressed, and predominantly dark brown/gray except for small patch of pale yellow hairs on each side along anterior margin between midline and pronotal lobe, pair of central spots of pale yellow hairs and narrow band extending posteriorly from each toward axilla, well-defined band of pale yellow hairs along midline, and pale yellow hairs along margins. Axilla with conspicuous patch of black hairs. Mesoscutellum with well-defined band of pale yellow hairs along midline, seemingly continuous with band of pale hairs along midline of mesoscutum, and small patch of pale yellow hairs laterally but with pubescence otherwise dark brown or black and sparse, not obscuring underlying integument. Metanotum with short, appressed off-white to dark brown hairs. Propodeum with erect, predominantly pale yellow hairs. Mesopleuron sparsely hairy, but with (off-white/pale yellow) hairs moderately dense ventrally as well as between two sparsely hairy circular patches (one beneath base of fore wing (hypoepimeral area), a larger one occupying much of ventrolateral half of mesopleuron). Legs, from coxae to tarsi, with appressed and erect off-white to pale yellow hairs, ventrally with golden-yellow hairs. Profemur with posteroventral fringe of dense, off-white hairs. Protibia with two bands or spots of short, appressed off-white hairs, one in basal half and one on apical margin. Mesotibia with patch of very dense short, appressed off-white/pale yellow hairs, occupying nearly entire dorsal surface. Metatibia with patch of sparser off-white/pale yellow hairs in apical two-thirds. T1–T3 with well-defined complete apical fasciae, those of T1 and T3 each with lobe-like anterolateral extension on each side with erect among appressed pale yellow hairs, that of T2 with pair of anterolateral extensions on each side. T3 with fascia laterally removed from apical margin, narrowed or interrupted mesad each anterolateral extension. T4–T6 without fasciae, although T4 with few sparsely scattered pale hairs present on apical impressed area. Exposed metasomal sterna mainly with short, appressed off-white hairs.</p> <p>SURFACE SCULPTURE. Labrum and clypeus with punctures equally dense (most i≤1d). Integument lateral to lateral ocellus punctate. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with fine punctures, not much coarser than those of metasomal terga. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with punctures equally dense (most i&lt;1d) and similar in size. Mesopleuron with denser (most i&lt;1d) punctures in upper half than ventrolateral half (many i=1–2d), interspaces well-defined and somewhat dull due to tessellate surface microsculpture. Discs of metasomal terga with punctures very fine, dense (i≈1d), interspaces dull due to tessellate surface microsculpture (difficult to see in holotype because integument obscured by badly matted pubescence; described from non-type specimens).</p> <p>STRUCTURE. Mandible tridentate, with small inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from base and slightly larger inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from apex as well as usual large apical tooth (rutellum). Maxillary palpus apparently with one palpomere (three according to Michener 1948). Scape with greatest length 1.8 × greatest width. F2 nearly as long as wide (L/W ratio = 0.9). Mesoscutellum strongly bigibbous, with pair of long, acute, subparallel spines, directed posteriorly. Lateral surface of propodeum posterior to spiracle with rugose crescent ridge, strongly carinate above and joining anterior lip of spiracle. Fore wing with three submarginal cells. T7 with slight median emargination.</p> <p>Female</p> <p>Description as for male except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: scape longer, with greatest length 2.1 × greatest width; mesotibia dorsally with large glabrous area between submedial band of off-white to pale yellow hairs (nearer base than apex) and band on apical margin; T1–T3 with fasciae narrowly interrupted medially; T 4 in some specimens with pair of small spots of pale yellow hairs along anterior margin of apical impressed area; T6 with narrow, V-shaped but apically rounded pygidial plate with median longitudinal ridge.</p> <p>Distribution</p> <p>Previously known only from Haiti and herein newly reported from the Dominican Republic, this is the only species of Brachymelecta known to occur on the island of Hispaniola (Fig. 4A).</p> <p>Ecology</p> <p>Host records</p> <p>Unknown. Given that New World Melectini have been associated only with anthophorine bees (mostly Anthophora), presumably B. haitensis is a cleptoparasite of one or more of the three species</p> <p>of Anthophora — A. hilaris, A. hispaniola Brooks, 1999, and A. tricolor (Fabricius, 1775) — known to occur in Hispaniola (see Brooks 1999).</p> <p>Floral records Lippia graveolens Kunth (Verbenaceae) (Fig. 11). Images on iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.org) show this species visiting Berylsimpsonia B.L.Turner (Asteraceae) (det. by J. Llamacho). One of the</p> <p>authors of the present study (JAG) has observed males of this species visiting the flowers of Lantana.</p> <p>Remarks</p> <p>Michener (2007) indicated that in the Antillean species of Xeromelecta the maxillary palpi have three (or possibly sometimes two) palpomeres. Both B. alayoi and B. haitensis were originally described as having three-segmented maxillary palpi. In the original description of the latter species, Michener (1948) indicated that in the only other Antillean species known at that time (M. pantalon, later determined to be a junior synonym of X. tibialis) the maxillary palpi were reportedly two-segmented but noted that the discrepancy was possibly the result of an observational error by Dewitz (1881) as the palpi are minute. In the present study, the maxillary palpus of a male specimen of B. haitensis (BOLD sample ID: CMNTO_037; JAG) was visualized with an SEM, which revealed an enlarged basal portion but no discernible articulations to suggest it has three or even two palpomeres (see Fig. 12). The maxillary palpi of two other specimens (the holotype and a non-type female) were also examined, albeit under a dissecting microscope, and similarly in each an enlarged basal portion was clearly evident but separate palpomeres were not.</p> <p>Brachymelecta haitensis exhibits unusual sexual dimorphism in that in females the T1–T3 apical fasciae are interrupted medially, albeit narrowly, whereas in males the T1–T3 apical fasciae are complete. This difference between the sexes is consistent across the specimens from Hispaniola that were studied. Previously known from a single (male) specimen, the female of B. haitensis is described here for the first time.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CBE758FF9A3F79FDF02CA36165FAD7	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Onuferko, Thomas M.;Packer, Laurence;Genaro, Julio A.	Onuferko, Thomas M., Packer, Laurence, Genaro, Julio A. (2021): Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939, previously the rarest North American bee genus, was described from an aberrant specimen and is the senior synonym for Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939. European Journal of Taxonomy 754: 1-51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393
03CBE758FF9F3F44FDF12C526108FDB9.text	03CBE758FF9F3F44FDF12C526108FDB9.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Brachymelecta interrupta (Cresson 1872) ANSP	<div><p>Brachymelecta interrupta (Cresson, 1872)</p> <p>Figs 4C, 6D, 13, 14B, 17</p> <p>Melecta interrupta Cresson, 1872: 275 (♀, ♂); Cresson, 1916: 121 (♀) (lectotype designation). Melecta interrupta var. fallugiae Cockerell, 1904: 23 (♀).</p> <p>Melecta interrupta var. rociadensis Cockerell, 1904: 23 (♂).</p> <p>Proposed common name</p> <p>Interrupted digger-cuckoo bee.</p> <p>Diagnosis</p> <p>The following morphological features in combination can be used to tell B. interrupta apart from all other Brachymelecta: the mesoscutum has a pair of anterior spots or (paramedian) bands of hairs darker than the surrounding yellow-orange hairs (Fig. 13B); the mesoscutellum has a pair of short, mammiform tubercles (Fig. 13D); the fore wings are infuscate throughout except around the third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein, where they are subhyaline (Fig. 13A–C); and T3 and T4 each have a medially interrupted fascia that is broadened anterolaterally, that of T3 into the inner pair of anterolateral extensions (there are two such lobe-like extensions on each side) (Fig. 13A–C). Brachymelecta interrupta is most similar to B. californica, but in B. californica the fore wings are infuscate apically, with most cells as well as the membrane around the third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein subhyaline, and T3 and T4 each have a medially interrupted fascia that is narrowed or interrupted (as opposed to continuously expanded) laterally, mesad the inner pair of anterolateral extensions. Additionally, in B. californica the lighter hairs covering the head, mesosoma, and metasoma are off-white or very rarely pale yellow, whereas in B. interrupta they range from pale yellow to yellow orange.</p> <p>Material examined</p> <p>Primary type material</p> <p>USA • ♀, M. interrupta var. fallugiae holotype; New Mexico, Pecos; 27 Jun.; M. Grabham leg.; CAS 4672 • ♂, M. interrupta var. rociadensis holotype; New Mexico, Rociada, San Miguel County; 10 Aug.; T.D.A. Cockerell leg.; USNM 534231 • ♀, M. interrupta lectotype; Texas; ANSP 2291.</p> <p>DNA barcoded material</p> <p>Available. BIN: BOLD:ABU5955. Specimens examined and sequenced:</p> <p>USA • 1 ♀; Arizona, Southwestern Research Station (5 mi W of Portal), Cochise County; 28 Aug. 2007; H.T. Ngo leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570 B06; PCYU • 1 ♀; Arizona, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-109.206&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=31.884" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -109.206/lat 31.884)">Southwestern Research Station</a> (5 mi W of Portal), Cochise County; 31.8840° N, 109.2060° W; 31 Aug. 2011; N. de Silva leg.; BOLD sample ID: 14511H06-AZ; PCYU 0003840 • 1 ♀; New Mexico, 10 mi N of Mimbres, Grant County; 32.9778° N, 108.0528° W; 6 Aug. 2007; M. Buck leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-34570 B04; DEBU debu00291180.</p> <p>Non-barcoded material</p> <p>USA • 1 ♀; Arizona, Canelo, Santa Cruz County; 27 Jun. 1965; R.F. Sternitzky leg.; CNC 891717 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; CNC 891718 • 1 ♀; Arizona, Southwestern Research Station (5 mi W of Portal), Cochise County; 26 Aug. 2007; H.T. Ngo; PCYU • 5 ♀♀, 1 ♂; Colorado; ANSP • 1 ♀; Colorado, Logan County; 40.4894° N, 102.7412° W; 31 May 2012; M. Vandever et al. leg.; CSUC • 1 ♂; Illinois; ANSP • 1 ♀; Kansas, Wallace, Wallace County; Jul. 1885; CNC 891738 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; CNC 891737 • 1 ♀; Mississippi, Lafayette County; Sep.–Oct.1956; E.R. Wall leg.; CNC 891699 • 1 ♀; Missouri, Lake Ozark; 20 Sep. 1939; E.C. Van Dyke leg.; CAS • 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂; Nebraska; ANSP • 1 ♀; New Mexico, 1 mi E of top of pass, near Sierra Blanca, Hwy 70; 27 Aug. 1962; F.M. Hull leg.; CNC 891735 • 1 ♀; New Mexico, Manzano Mountains (8 mi W of Manzano, near New Canyon Campground), Torrance County; 28 Aug. 1993; J.E. O’Hara leg.; CNC 891714 • 1 ♀ (labelled as “ Melecta interrupta Cress. ♀ TYPE” but probably a non-type specimen); Texas; USNM 534230 • 1 ♂; Texas, The Rockpile (30 mi NW of Fort Davis); 28 May 1959; J.F. McAlpine leg.; CNC 891719.</p> <p>Redescription</p> <p>Female</p> <p>MEASUREMENTS. Length 12.7 mm; ITW 2.9 mm; head length 3.4 mm; head width 4.0 mm; fore wing length 11.7 mm.</p> <p>INTEGUMENT COLORATION. Dark brown to black except as follows. Mandible with basal two-thirds, legs, excluding black tibial spurs, and much of metasoma reddish brown. Fore wing dusky throughout except around third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein, where subhyaline. Hind wing dusky subhyaline.</p> <p>PUBESCENCE. Face with hairs densest around antennal socket, predominantly pale yellow to yellow orange but almost entirely black in lower paraocular area and on clypeus. Upper paraocular and frontal areas and vertexal area (except along preoccipital ridge) mostly exposed. Head with dense, erect hairs along preoccipital ridge yellow orange except for pair of black patches, each behind lateral ocellus and in front of paramedian band (hairs somewhat faded in M. interrupta lectotype; described from nontype specimens). Genal beard hairs almost entirely black. Mesoscutum sparsely hairy except densely hairy anteriorly, narrowly along lateral margin, and in space between parapsidal line and axilla, with hairs predominantly yellow orange except for black paramedian band. Axilla with conspicuous patch of black hairs. Mesoscutellum and much of lateral surface of propodeum (except near bases of mesocoxa and metacoxa) with erect, predominantly yellow-orange hairs. Metanotum and propodeal triangle with erect, predominantly black hairs. Mesopleuron and metapleuron each with upper half covered in dense, yellow-orange hairs greatly obscuring underlying integument and lower half covered in sparser, black hairs not obscuring underlying integument. Legs, from coxae to tarsi, with patches of appressed and erect pale yellow to yellow-orange hairs among more numerous dark brown to black hairs. Profemur with posteroventral fringe of dense, predominantly pale yellow hairs. Tibiae each with small, inconspicuous spot of short, appressed pale yellow hairs in basal half (in some non-type specimens, protibia and metatibia each with additional patch of short, appressed pale yellow hairs on apical margin). T1–T5 with well-defined medially interrupted apical fasciae, laterally with erect among appressed yellow-orange hairs. T2 and T3 fasciae each with pair of lobe-like anterolateral extensions on each side. T3–T5 each with fascia broadened anterolaterally, that of T3 into inner pair of anterolateral extensions. Exposed metasomal sterna with short, appressed black hairs.</p> <p>SURFACE SCULPTURE. Labrum sparsely punctate (many i&gt;2d). Clypeus with punctures more or less equally dense throughout (most i≤1d) except for small impunctate shiny spot medially on lower margin. Small impunctate shiny spot lateral to lateral ocellus, another behind median ocellus. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with coarser punctures than metasomal terga. Mesoscutum densely punctate (most i≤1d) except for small impunctate shiny spot between paramedian band and parapsidal line and along posterior margin around midline, where more sparsely punctate (few i&gt;1d). Mesoscutellum with punctures more or less equally dense throughout (most i≤1d) and similar in size to those of mesoscutum. Mesopleuron densely punctate (most i&lt;1d) but with most interspaces well-defined, shining. Discs of metasomal terga with punctures very fine, sparse (most i&gt;1d), interspaces dull due to tessellate surface microsculpture.</p> <p>STRUCTURE. Mandible tridentate, with small inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from base and larger inner tooth approximately ⅖ length of mandible from apex as well as usual large apical tooth (rutellum) (difficult to see in M. interrupta lectotype because mandibles closed; described from non-type specimens). Maxillary palpus with five palpomeres (mouthparts not extended in M. interrupta lectotype; described from non-type specimen). Scape with greatest length 2.3 × greatest width. F2 nearly as long as wide (L/ W ratio = 0.9). Mesoscutellum moderately bigibbous, with pair of short, conical mammiform tubercles. Lateral surface of propodeum posterior to spiracle relatively flat and unmodified. Fore wing with three submarginal cells. T6 with narrow, V-shaped but apically rounded pygidial plate with median longitudinal ridge.</p> <p>Male</p> <p>Description as for female except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: scape shorter, with greatest length 1.8 × greatest width; F2 shorter, wider than long (L/W ratio = 0.7); mesotibia with patch of very dense short, appressed yellow-orange hairs, occupying nearly entire dorsal surface; T7 with slight median emargination; S4 and S5 each with apical/subapical fringe of dense curved black hairs.</p> <p>Distribution</p> <p>Brachymelecta interrupta is the second-most widely distributed member of its genus, after B. californica. Its range includes much of the Central United States, parts of the Southwestern United States (as far west as eastern Arizona), and north-central Mexico (Fig. 4C).</p> <p>Ecology</p> <p>Host records</p> <p>According to Mitchell (1962), the host of B. interrupta is Anthophora abrupta, but no details were provided with regard to the basis of this apparent association. That a different species, A. walshii Cresson, 1869, is the primary if not only host of B. interrupta is strongly suggested by three separate observations of the latter in the presence/vicinity of the former (by Robertson 1926; Graenicher 1935; Bouseman 1982) and there being much greater range overlap (see Ascher &amp; Pickering 2020) between B. interrupta and A. walshii (both are widespread from the Midwestern United States to Western North America) than between B. interrupta and A. abrupta (an eastern species).</p> <p>Floral records</p> <p>The holotype of Melecta interrupta var. fallugiae was collected from the flowers of Fallugia Endl. (Rosaceae). Robertson (1929) reported B. interrupta (as M. interrupta) on Coreopsis palmata Nutt. and Pycnanthemum flexuosum (Walter) Britton, Sterns &amp; Poggenb. (Lamiaceae). Linsley (1939) reported this species on Cleome L. (Cleomaceae), Dalea L. (Fabaceae) (as Petalostemon), and Monarda L. (Lamiaceae), Hurd (1953) on Baccharis L., Hurd et al. (1980) on Helianthus annuus, and Bouseman (1982) on H. pauciflorus Nutt. (as H. rigidus) and Rudbeckia hirta L. (Asteraceae). Discover Life (Ascher &amp; Pickering 2020) cites the following floral record contributed by the Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory: Cirsium Mill. Images on BugGuide (https://bugguide.net) show this species visiting Dalea candida Willd. The label of one examined voucher specimen further indicates that this species has been collected from Marrubium vulgare L.</p> <p>Remarks</p> <p>Brachymelecta interrupta was described (as Melecta interrupta) from two specimens (one female and one male), from Dallas and Comal Counties (Texas), although it is not clear from the description or the female specimen’s labels which locality corresponds to which specimen. We have not seen the male specimen, deposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) in Cambridge, MA, USA, but according to Cockerell (1907) it is from Dallas, so presumably the female is from Comal County. Cresson (1916) designated the female specimen, deposited in the ANSP (catalog number: 2291), as the lectotype of Melecta interrupta. Confusingly, there is also a female specimen in the primary type collection of the USNM (catalog number: 534230) bearing the label “ Melecta interrupta Cress. ♀ TYPE”. This specimen (also from Texas) bears another label that says “Type No 1764 U.S. N.M” and is listed as the lectotype of M. interrupta in the Department of Entomology Collections database (https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/ento/). It is not clear when or if this designation was published or which of the two females constituted the basis for the original description, but given that Cresson (1916), who described the species, designated the specimen at the ANSP as the lectotype, it is herein regarded as such as well (with the male at the MCZ, labelled as a syntype, recognized as the lectoallotype).</p> <p>Cockerell (1904) described two “varieties” of M. interrupta (both from New Mexico) on the basis that neither precisely agrees with the “typical form from Texas ”. In Linsley (1939), M. var. fallugiae appears in the synonymy list for M. interrupta, although it is referred to as a variety rather than a synonym of M. interrupta, one in which the pale pubescence is more orange than yellow. Mitchell (1962) apparently accepted this as a junior synonym of X. interrupta, and we agree with Mitchell’s treatment. In the holotype of M. interrupta var. fallugiae, the pale pubescence is the same yellow-orange color exhibited by the lectotype of M. interrupta.</p> <p>Linsley (1939) regarded the other variety (M. var. rociadensis) as a separate species (M. rociadensis) from M. interrupta; however, later Hurd &amp; Linsley (1951) indicated that they were unable to reliably distinguish M. var. rociadensis from M. interrupta and therefore synonymized the former name under the latter. Aside from the paler pubescence exhibited by the M. var. rociadensis holotype, its description applies equally well to the lectotype of M. interrupta. Cockerell’s (1904) description, rather than differentiating the M. var. rociadensis holotype from the “typical form” of M. interrupta, instead lists the features (the dark tegulae and wings and unique metasomal markings) that separate M. var. rociadensis from M. miranda (now a junior synonym of B. californica). These differences, however, can be used to separate any representatives of B. interrupta (including the lectotype of M. interrupta) from the holotype of M. miranda. Although the pale hairs in B. interrupta range from pale yellow to yellow orange, the variation is continuous and the differences in hair color do not correspond to any geographic pattern. Hence, we agree with the treatment of Hurd &amp; Linsley (1951) and do not regard M. var. rociadensis as a valid taxon.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CBE758FF9F3F44FDF12C526108FDB9	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Onuferko, Thomas M.;Packer, Laurence;Genaro, Julio A.	Onuferko, Thomas M., Packer, Laurence, Genaro, Julio A. (2021): Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939, previously the rarest North American bee genus, was described from an aberrant specimen and is the senior synonym for Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939. European Journal of Taxonomy 754: 1-51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393
03CBE758FFA33F41FDC92F3A6478FAC0.text	03CBE758FFA33F41FDC92F3A6478FAC0.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Brachymelecta larreae (Cockerell 1900)	<div><p>Brachymelecta larreae (Cockerell, 1900)</p> <p>Figs 4D, 6E, 14A, 15, 17</p> <p>Bombomelecta larreae Cockerell, 1900: 361 (♀).</p> <p>Bombomelecta azygos Viereck, 1903: 181 (♂).</p> <p>Proposed common name</p> <p>Creosote digger-cuckoo bee.</p> <p>Diagnosis</p> <p>Unique within the genus to B. larreae are each of the following morphological features: the mandibles are bidentate, each with an inner preapical tooth as well as the usual apical tooth (rutellum) (Fig. 14A); the mesoscutum does not have any spots or bands of differentiated hairs but is instead covered in dense, uniformly golden-yellow hairs (Fig. 15A–C); the mesoscutellum has no spines or well-defined mammiform tubercles, although the mesoscutellum is bigibbous to some degree (Fig. 15D); in both sexes the mesotibiae have black hairs only (Fig. 15A, C); and T1–T4 lack well-defined fasciae, although ill-defined apical bands of golden-yellow hairs are sometimes present (Fig. 15A–B). Brachymelecta larreae is more likely to be confused with some Melecta spp. than other species of Brachymelecta, but in North American Melecta the inner ramus of each tarsal claw is narrow, pointed, and thus resembles the outer ramus and T1 has long, pale hairs, similar in length to those on the dorsum of the mesosoma, whereas in B. larreae the inner ramus of each tarsal claw of the mid- and hind legs is broad, lobe-like, and thus does not resemble the outer ramus (as in all Brachymelecta spp.) and any pale hairs on T1 (the hairs may be entirely black) are distinctly shorter than those on the dorsum of the mesosoma.</p> <p>Material examined</p> <p>Primary type material</p> <p>USA • ♂, B. azygos holotype; Nevada; ANSP 10128 • ♀, B. larreae holotype; New Mexico, Mesilla Park, Doña Ana County; 9 May 1900; T.D.A. Cockerell leg.; USNM 534229.</p> <p>DNA barcoded material</p> <p>Available, but not BIN-compliant. Specimen examined and sequenced:</p> <p>USA • 1 ♂; California, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=-116.411&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=33.258" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long -116.411/lat 33.258)">Anza-Borrego Desert State Park</a>; 33.2580° N, 116.4110° W; 26 Feb. 2015; K.J. Hung leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-29918 H07; PCYU SDC.20015.</p> <p>Non-barcoded material</p> <p>USA • 2 ♂♂; California, Apple Valley; 12 May 1955; W.R. Richards leg.; CNC 891709, 891711 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 20 May 1955; W.R.M. Mason leg.; CNC 899531 • 3 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂; California, Argus Mountains, Inyo County; 22 May 1937; E.C. Van Dyke leg.; CAS • 1 ♂; California, Helendale, San Bernardino County; 16 May 1955; W.R.M. Mason leg.; CNC 891710 • 4 ♀♀; California, Lone Pine, Inyo County; 24 May 1937; E.C. Van Dyke leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; California, Red Mountain; 16 May 1955; J.E.H. Martin leg.; CNC 891712 • 1 ♀; California, Victorville, San Bernardino County; 20 May 1955; W.R. Richards leg.; CNC 891708 • 1 ♀; Texas, Big Bend National Park (near Chilicotal Mountain); 3 May 1959; J.F. McAlpine leg.; CNC 891716.</p> <p>Redescription</p> <p>Female</p> <p>MEASUREMENTS. Length 12.3 mm; ITW 3.3 mm; head length 3.4 mm; head width 3.9 mm; fore wing length 11.0 mm.</p> <p>INTEGUMENT COLORATION. Dark brown to black except as follows. Mandible with apical third golden yellow. Mandible with basal two-thirds, propodeum, legs, excluding black tibial spurs, and much of metasoma with reddish tinge. Fore wing dusky throughout except around third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein, where dusky subhyaline. Hind wing dusky subhyaline.</p> <p>PUBESCENCE. Face with hairs densest around antennal socket, predominantly pale yellow but more extensively black in lower paraocular area and on clypeus. Upper paraocular and frontal areas and vertexal area (except along preoccipital ridge) mostly exposed. Head with dense, erect hairs along preoccipital ridge entirely black except medially where some hairs pale yellow. Genal beard hairs entirely black. Mesoscutum sparsely hairy except densely hairy anteriorly and along margins, with hairs entirely golden yellow. Axilla dorsally with hairs predominantly golden yellow; laterally with hairs predominantly black. Mesoscutellum, metanotum, and much of propodeum (except behind base of hind wing) with erect, predominantly black hairs; hairs otherwise golden yellow. Mesopleuron (except around pronotal lobe where some hairs pale yellow) and metapleuron each covered in sparse, black hairs not obscuring underlying integument. Legs with dark brown to black hairs only. Profemur with posteroventral fringe of dense hairs. Tibiae sparsely hairy. T1 with apical fascia reduced to pair of small patches of golden-yellow tomentum. T2–T4 with ill-defined apical bands of golden-yellow hairs, darker/interrupted medially. Exposed metasomal sterna with short, appressed black hairs.</p> <p>SURFACE SCULPTURE.Labrum sparsely punctate (many i&gt;2d). Clypeus with punctures more or less equally dense throughout (most i≤1d). Frontal area below median ocellus with impunctate shiny triangular area. Small impunctate shiny spot lateral to lateral ocellus. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with coarser punctures than metasomal terga. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with punctures equally dense (most i≤1d) and similar in size. Mesopleuron densely punctate (most i≤1d) but with most interspaces welldefined, shining. Discs of metasomal terga with punctures very fine, sparse (most i&gt;1d), interspaces dull due to tessellate surface microsculpture.</p> <p>STRUCTURE. Mandible bidentate, with small inner tooth approximately ⅖ length of mandible from apex as well as usual large apical tooth (rutellum). Maxillary palpus with five palpomeres. Scape with greatest length 2.3 × greatest width. F2 nearly as long as wide (L/ W ratio = 0.9). Mesoscutellum moderately bigibbous. Lateral surface of propodeum posterior to spiracle relatively flat and unmodified. Fore wing with three submarginal cells. T6 with narrow, V-shaped but apically rounded pygidial plate with median longitudinal ridge.</p> <p>Male</p> <p>Description as for female except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: head with black hairs only; scape shorter, with greatest length 1.9 × greatest width; F2 shorter, wider than long (L/W ratio = 0.7); mesotibia with patch of very dense short, appressed dark brown to black hairs, occupying nearly entire dorsal surface; T7 with slight median emargination; S4 and S5 each with apical/subapical fringe of dense curved black hairs.</p> <p>Distribution</p> <p>Brachymelecta larreae is found in the Chihuahuan, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts of North America (Fig. 4D).</p> <p>Ecology</p> <p>Host records</p> <p>Unknown.</p> <p>Floral records</p> <p>The holotype of Bombomelecta larreae was collected from the flowers of Larrea tridentata (Sessé &amp; Moc. ex DC.) Coville (Zygophyllaceae). Linsley (1939) reported this species on Eriodictyon Benth., Ericameria Nutt. (as Stenotopsis), and Stanleya Nutt. Floral records from data contributors to Discover Life (Ascher &amp; Pickering 2020) compiled by J. Pickering are as follows: Dalea, Encelia actonii Elmer, Eriodictyon trichocalyx A. Heller, Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth., and Hyptis Jacq. (Lamiaceae). The label of one examined voucher specimen further indicates that this species has been collected from Hyptis emoryi Torr.</p> <p>Remarks</p> <p>Linsley (1938) identified the holotype of Bombomelecta azygos as the male of B. larreae and synonymized the former name under the latter. The holotypes of both B. azygos and B. larreae were examined in the present study, and we agree with Linsley’s treatment.</p> <p>This species exhibits unusual sexual dimorphism in that in females many if not most hairs around the antennal sockets and behind the ocelli are pale yellow, whereas in males the hairs on the head are entirely black. Although in this species the mesoscutellum can be entirely mutic (i.e. without tubercles), in some specimens of B. larreae the mesoscutellum has a pair of very small and thus ill-defined tubercles. Based on known records, adults of B. larreae are active from late February to early June.</p> <p>Although BIN-compliant sequences are presently not available for B. larreae, a partial sequence, 338 bp in length, is available for a male specimen (BOLD sample ID: CCDB-29918 H07), which was included in the matrix used to construct a phylogeny for Brachymelecta (vide infra).</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CBE758FFA33F41FDC92F3A6478FAC0	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Onuferko, Thomas M.;Packer, Laurence;Genaro, Julio A.	Onuferko, Thomas M., Packer, Laurence, Genaro, Julio A. (2021): Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939, previously the rarest North American bee genus, was described from an aberrant specimen and is the senior synonym for Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939. European Journal of Taxonomy 754: 1-51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393
03CBE758FFA63F42FDC628CF643EF871.text	03CBE758FFA63F42FDC628CF643EF871.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Brachymelecta tibialis (Fabricius 1793) UPRM	<div><p>Brachymelecta tibialis (Fabricius, 1793)</p> <p>Figs 4A, 9B, 16–17</p> <p>Nomada tibialis Fabricius, 1793: 346 (♂).</p> <p>Crocisa pantalon Dewitz, 1881: 198 (♂), pl. 5, fig. 2.</p> <p>Proposed common name</p> <p>Puerto Rican digger-cuckoo bee.</p> <p>Diagnosis</p> <p>The following morphological features in combination can be used to tell B. tibialis apart from all other Brachymelecta except B. haitensis, a Hispaniolan species: the mesoscutum and mesoscutellum both have well-defined bands of pale hairs along the entire midline that connect and thus give the appearance of a single band (Fig. 16B, D); the mesoscutellum sometimes also has pale hairs laterally but the pubescence is otherwise dark brown or black, sparse, and does not obscure the underlying integument (Fig. 16D); and each mesotibia of the female dorsally has a large glabrous area between a submedial band of offwhite hairs (nearer the base than apex) and a band on the apical margin (Fig. 16A). Brachymelecta tibialis may be separated from B. haitensis as follows. Whereas in B. haitensis the T1–T3 apical fasciae are complete (in males) or only narrowly interrupted medially (in females) and the lighter hairs covering the head, mesosoma, and metasoma are pale yellow, in B. tibialis the T1–T3 apical fasciae are narrowly interrupted medially (in males) or widely interrupted medially (in females) and the lighter hairs covering the head, mesosoma, and metasoma are off-white. Brachymelecta tibialis is the easternmost species in its genus and the only one known to occur in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.</p> <p>Material examined</p> <p>Primary type material</p> <p>COUNTRY UNKNOWN • ♂, N. tibialis holotype; Sehested leg.; NHMD ZMUC 00241576.</p> <p>PUERTO RICO • ♂, C. pantalon holotype (studied from images: http://coll.mfn-berlin.de/u/c2e879); Krug leg.; ZMB 22477 for specimen, 22592 for dissected mouthparts.</p> <p>DNA barcoded material</p> <p>Unavailable.</p> <p>Non-barcoded material</p> <p>COUNTRY UNKNOWN • 1 ♂; “ American Isles ”; Beck leg.; NHMD.</p> <p>PUERTO RICO • 1 ♀; Aguada, Cerro Gordo; 23 Aug. 1987; Douglas II leg.; UPRM • 1 ♂; Lares, Lares; 3 Nov. 1922; F. Sein leg.; UPRM Acc. 416-1922 • 1 ♂; Orocovis, Orocovis; 3 Oct. 1979; A.E.Q. leg.; UPRM • 1 ♀; Utuado, Utuado; Jul. 1941; G. Lamboglia leg.; INHS 427051.</p> <p>UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS • 1 ♂; St. Croix; Eggers leg.; NHMD.</p> <p>Redescription</p> <p>Male</p> <p>MEASUREMENTS. Length 9.4 mm; ITW 2.6 mm; head length 2.7 mm; head width 3.0 mm; fore wing length 8.7 mm.</p> <p>INTEGUMENT COLORATION. Dark brown to black except as follows. Mandible with apical third golden yellow. Mandible with middle third, labrum, mesoscutellum, metanotum, and legs, excluding dark brown to black coxae and tibial spurs, reddish orange (reddish brown in some non-type specimens). Tegula amber. Fore wing dusky subhyaline throughout except along posterior margin and around third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein, where hyaline. Hind wing dusky subhyaline to hyaline. Much of metasoma with reddish tinge.</p> <p>PUBESCENCE. Face with hairs densest around antennal socket, predominantly off-white/pale yellow but dark brown/gray above antennal socket and in lower paraocular area. Clypeus with upper half densely hairy; lower half nearly bare. Upper paraocular and frontal areas and vertexal area (except along preoccipital ridge and margin of compound eye) mostly exposed. Head with dense, erect hairs along preoccipital ridge off-white except for medial dark brown/gray patch behind ocelli. Genal beard hairs predominantly dark brown/gray. Mesoscutum sparsely hairy except densely hairy anteriorly and along margins, with hairs short, appressed, and predominantly dark brown/gray except for small patch of offwhite hairs on each side along anterior margin between midline and pronotal lobe, pair of central spots of off-white hairs, small patch of off-white hairs in front of axilla, well-defined band of off-white hairs along midline, and off-white hairs along margins.Axilla with conspicuous patch of black hairs. Mesoscutellum with well-defined band of off-white hairs along midline, seemingly continuous with band of pale hairs along midline of mesoscutum, and small patch of off-white hairs laterally but with pubescence otherwise dark brown or black and sparse, not obscuring underlying integument. Metanotum with short, appressed dark brown hairs. Propodeum with erect, predominantly off-white hairs. Mesopleuron sparsely hairy, but with (off-white) hairs moderately dense ventrally as well as between two sparsely hairy circular patches (one beneath base of fore wing around somewhat densely hairy hypoepimeral area, a larger one occupying much of ventrolateral half of mesopleuron). Legs, from coxae to tarsi, with appressed and erect off-white hairs, ventrally with golden-yellow hairs. Profemur with posteroventral fringe of dense, off-white hairs. Protibia with two bands or spots of short, appressed off-white hairs, one in basal half and one on apical margin. Mesotibia with patch of very dense short, appressed off-white hairs, occupying nearly entire dorsal surface. Metatibia with patch of sparser off-white hairs in apical two-thirds. T1–T3 with well-defined, medially interrupted apical fasciae, each with lobe-like anterolateral extension on each side with erect among appressed off-white hairs (that of T2 with pair of anterolateral extensions on each side in C. pantalon holotype and some non-type specimens). T3 with fascia laterally removed from apical margin, narrowed or interrupted mesad each anterolateral extension. T4–T6 without fasciae, although T4 with few sparsely scattered pale hairs present on apical impressed area in some non-type specimens. Exposed metasomal sterna mainly with short, appressed off-white hairs.</p> <p>SURFACE SCULPTURE. Labrum and clypeus with punctures equally dense (most i≤1d). Small impunctate shiny spot lateral to lateral ocellus. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with fine punctures, not much coarser than those of metasomal terga. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum with punctures equally dense (most i&lt;1d) and similar in size. Mesopleuron with denser (most i&lt;1d) punctures in upper half than ventrolateral half (many i=1–2d), interspaces well-defined and somewhat dull due to tessellate surface microsculpture. Discs of metasomal terga with punctures very fine, dense (i≈1d), interspaces dull due to tessellate surface microsculpture.</p> <p>STRUCTURE. Mandible tridentate, with small inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from base and slightly larger inner tooth approximately ⅓ length of mandible from apex as well as usual large apical tooth (rutellum) (difficult to see in N. tibialis holotype because mandibles closed; described from C. pantalon holotype and non-type specimens). Maxillary palpus with one palpomere (mouthparts not extended in N. tibialis holotype; described from two non-type specimens). Scape with greatest length 1.8 × greatest width. F2 nearly as long as wide (L/W ratio = 0.9). Mesoscutellum strongly bigibbous, with pair of long, acute, subparallel spines, directed posteriorly. Lateral surface of propodeum posterior to spiracle with rugose crescent ridge, strongly carinate above and joining anterior lip of spiracle. Fore wing with three submarginal cells. T7 with slight median emargination.</p> <p>Female</p> <p>Description as for male except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: scape longer, with greatest length 2.2 × greatest width; mesotibia dorsally with large glabrous area between submedial band of off-white hairs (nearer the base than apex) and band on apical margin; T1–T3 with fasciae more widely interrupted medially; T6 with narrow, V-shaped but apically rounded pygidial plate.</p> <p>Distribution</p> <p>Previously known only from Puerto Rico and herein newly reported from St. Croix, this is the only species of Brachymelecta known to occur on either of the two islands (Fig. 4A).</p> <p>Ecology</p> <p>Host records</p> <p>Unknown. Given that New World Melectini have been associated only with anthophorine bees (mostly Anthophora), presumably B. tibialis is a cleptoparasite of A. tricolor, the only species in its genus known to occur in Puerto Rico and also the only one represented in the U.S. Virgin Islands (Brooks 1999).</p> <p>Floral records</p> <p>Unknown.</p> <p>Remarks</p> <p>Linsley (1943) described the female of Crocisa pantalon (as Melecta (Melectomorpha) pentalon [sic]) based on a specimen from Lares, Puerto Rico (UPRM Acc. 416-1922), which Genaro &amp; Franz (2008) determined was actually a male. Although a female specimen was known to Genaro &amp; Franz (2008), the female of B. tibialis is described here for the first time. Donald B. Baker correctly recognized the holotype of Nomada tibialis as belonging to the same species as “ Nesomelecta pantalon ” (in 1980), and the synonymy was established in Michener (2000) through a personal communication. Moure et al. (2007) erroneously list the USNM and Genaro &amp; Franz (2008) the NHMD (as ZMUC) as the repository for the holotype of C. pantalon. The specimen is actually deposited in the ZMB.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CBE758FFA63F42FDC628CF643EF871	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Onuferko, Thomas M.;Packer, Laurence;Genaro, Julio A.	Onuferko, Thomas M., Packer, Laurence, Genaro, Julio A. (2021): Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939, previously the rarest North American bee genus, was described from an aberrant specimen and is the senior synonym for Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939. European Journal of Taxonomy 754: 1-51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393
03CBE758FFAA3F4DFF512C536523F870.text	03CBE758FFAA3F4DFF512C536523F870.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Brachymelecta Linsley 1939	<div><p>Key to both sexes of the species of Brachymelecta</p> <p>1. Mandible bidentate, with inner preapical tooth as well as usual apical tooth (rutellum) (Fig. 14A). Mesoscutum covered in dense, uniformly golden-yellow hairs (Fig. 15). Mesoscutellum without pair of spines or well-defined mammiform tubercles, although mesoscutellum bigibbous to some degree and sometimes with pair of very minute protrusions (Fig. 15D). Mesotibia with black hairs only (Fig. 15A, C). T1–T4 without fasciae or with only very faint apical bands of golden-yellow hairs (Fig. 15B)...................................................................................... B. larreae (Cockerell, 1900)</p> <p>– Mandible tridentate, with inner basal tooth as well as inner preapical tooth and usual apical tooth (rutellum) (Fig. 14B). Mesoscutum with pair of spots or bands (Figs 3B, 5B, 10B, 11, 13B, 16B). Mesoscutellum with pair of spines or mammiform tubercles (least developed pair shown in Fig. 13D) (see also Figs 3D, 5D, 10D, 16D). Mesotibia dorsally with some off-white or yellow-orange hairs, those of female sparser and usually reduced to small bands or spots (Figs 3A–B, 5A, 10A–B, 11, 16A–B); those of male forming patch of very dense off-white, golden-yellow, or yellow-orange hairs, occupying nearly entire dorsal surface (Figs 3C, 5C, 7A, C, 8A–B, 13C, 16C). T1–T3 with well-defined off-white to golden-yellow or yellow-orange apical fasciae (Figs 3A–C, 5A–C, 8A–C, 10A–C, 11, 13A–C, 16A–C), rarely entirely covered in pale tomentum (Figs 7A–C, 8D)............. 2</p> <p>2. Mesoscutum with pair of anterior spots or bands of hairs darker than surrounding off-white or yellow-orange hairs (Figs 5B, 13B). Mesoscutellum with pair of short, mammiform tubercles (Figs 5D, 13D). Maxillary palpus with four or five palpomeres (Fig. 12A) [North America].................. 3</p> <p>– Mesoscutum with pair of central spots of off-white or pale to golden-yellow hairs lighter than surrounding black hairs (Figs 3B, 10B, 11, 16B). Mesoscutellum with pair of spines (Figs 3D, 10D, 16D). Maxillary palpus with fewer than four palpomeres (Fig. 12B) [Greater Antilles]................. 4</p> <p>3. T3 and T4 each with fascia narrowed or interrupted laterally, mesad the inner pair of anterolateral extensions (Fig. 5A–C). Fore wing infuscate apically, subhyaline in most cells and around third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein (Fig. 5A–C). Head, mesosoma, and metasoma with pale hairs off-white (rarely pale yellow and never orange) (Figs 5A–C, 8)........................................................................................................ B. californica (Cresson, 1878)</p> <p>– T3 and T4 each with fascia broadened anterolaterally, that of T3 into inner pair of anterolateral extensions (Fig. 13A–C). Fore wing infuscate throughout except subhyaline around third submarginal crossvein and second recurrent vein (Fig. 13A–C). Head, mesosoma, and metasoma with pale hairs typically pale yellow to yellow orange (Fig. 13A–C)......................... B. interrupta (Cresson, 1872)</p> <p>4. Mesoscutum with band of pale hairs along midline not attaining posterior margin (Fig. 3B, D). Mesoscutellum, except for pair of spines and around their bases, densely covered in pale pubescence greatly obscuring underlying integument (Fig. 3D) [Cuba].................... B. alayoi (Michener, 1988)</p> <p>– Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum each with uninterrupted band of pale hairs along entire midline (Figs 10B, D, 11, 16B, D). Mesoscutellum pubescence otherwise dark brown or black, sparse, not obscuring underlying integument (Figs 10D, 16D) [other regions]................................................. 5</p> <p>5. T1–T3 with fasciae pale yellow, narrowly interrupted medially in female (Fig. 10B), complete in male (Fig. 9A) [Hispaniola]................................................................ B. haitensis (Michener, 1948)</p> <p>– T1–T3 with fasciae off-white, widely interrupted medially in female (Fig. 16B), narrowly interrupted medially in male (Fig. 9B) [Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands]......... B. tibialis (Fabricius, 1793)</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CBE758FFAA3F4DFF512C536523F870	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Onuferko, Thomas M.;Packer, Laurence;Genaro, Julio A.	Onuferko, Thomas M., Packer, Laurence, Genaro, Julio A. (2021): Brachymelecta Linsley, 1939, previously the rarest North American bee genus, was described from an aberrant specimen and is the senior synonym for Xeromelecta Linsley, 1939. European Journal of Taxonomy 754: 1-51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.754.1393
