The genus Ptilothrix (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini) in South America

Abstract

A revision of the bee genus Ptilothrix Smith in South America is presented. The genus has its maximum diversity in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. Seventeen valid species are recognized, of which five are described as new: P. aemulatrix and P. interrupta from Argentina and Bolivia, P. concava from Argentina, and P. cerradicola and P. rubescens from Brazil. New nomenclatural acts are as follows. Ancyloscelis nigerrima Friese, 1906, Ptilothrix corrientium Strand, 1910, P. lynchii Brèthes, 1910, P. chacoensis Brèthes, 1910, P. megasoma Brèthes, 1910, P. heterochroa Cockerell, 1919, and Emphor opuntiae Schrottky, 1920, are new synonyms of Ptilothrix tricolor (Friese, 1906). Ancyloscelis nigrita Friese, 1910, is a new synonym of Ptilothrix relata Holmberg, 1903. Ancyloscelis nigrita sexmaculata Friese, 1910, is considered an objective junior synonym of Ptilothrix nigrita Friese, 1899. Lectotypes are designated for Ptilothrix plumata Smith, 1853, Teleutemnesta relata Holmberg, 1903, Ancyloscelis tricolor Friese, 1906, Ancyloscelis nigerrima Friese, 1906, Ancyloscelis plumata nigrescens Friese, 1910, Ancyloscelis nigrita Friese, 1910, Ancyloscelis plumata ruficornis Friese, 1910, and Diadasia sumicharsti vulpihirta Cockerell, 1912. A key to the species, descriptions, illustrations, and a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters are provided.