A review of Augochlora (Oxystoglossella) bees from South America: unexpected Amazonian diversity and assessment of vulnerable species

Abstract

ABSTRACT Augochlora Smith currently comprises 126 species of sweat bees distributed across the Neotropics and in the southern half of the Nearctic region. The genus is divided into two valid subgenera, Augochlora s. str. (97 species) and Oxystoglossella Eickwort (29 species). The objective of this study is to review the South American species of Oxystoglossella. We examined around 2900 specimens and recognised 22 species occurring in South America, with 10 recorded in Amazonian endemism areas. Our study elevates the Oxystoglossella diversity to 32 species. Eight new species are described: Augochlora almeidai sp. nov., A. brevipilosa sp. nov., A. laevinota sp. nov., A. lamellata sp. nov., A. meloi sp. nov., A. mineira sp. nov., A. obidensis sp. nov. and A. simplex sp. nov. The name Augochlora empusa Engel, Hinojosa and Bennett, 2012 is considered a junior synonym of Halictus phoenicis Vachal, 1904; Augochlora bipunctata Lepeco and Gonçalves, 2020 is considered a junior synonym of Augochlora erubescens Cockerell, 1923; and Halictus ardens Vachal, 1911 is considered a junior synonym of Augochlora thalia Smith, 1879. Halictus continens Vachal, 1911 is removed from synonymy with Augochlora thalia and is treated herein as a junior synonym of Halictus aurinasis Vachal, 1911. Halictus pinacis Vachal, 1911 is transferred to Augochlora s. str. Lectotypes are designated for Augochlora matucanensis Cockerell, 1914 and Augochlora thalia. The male of Augochlora rightmyerae Engel, 2000 is described for the first time. Two new species, A. almeidai sp. nov. and A. simplex sp. nov., and A. eucnemis could be considered Vulnerable D2 (IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature) due to their restricted distribution in threatened localities. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A46A454A-DE14-4903-845C-4814AAFB26B7