Abstract
Most species of the Colletes succinctus group sensu Noskiewicz, 1936 are taxonomically uncertain. This study has chosen an integrative approach, including pollen analysis, morphology, male genitalia, morphometry, cuticle sculpture and DNA-barcoding (CO1) to investigate the five species that were reported from Austria. It includes a detailed analysis of the male genitalia and the first description of the C. pannonicus male. A syntype male from the island of Crete was designated as the lectotype of Colletes succinctus brevigena Noskiewicz, 1936 to fix the species identity. New distinguishing characters were found: in females the shape of the dorsal end of the fovea facialis and, in both sexes, the structure of maxillary palpi, as well as the different puncturation on the mesopleura. Unknown structures on sterna and genitalia of the males proved to be reliable morphological characters. An identification key is provided for all studied species. Morphometry of females did not allow a clear distinction of species. CO1 sequencing confirmed previous studies that only C. collaris clearly deviates from the other species, including C. pannonicus that was analysed for the first time. Pollen analysis showed polylectic, as well as oligolectic, pollen-collecting behaviour. The collected pollen of C. pannonicus confirmed the field observations that this species is strictly oligolectic on Tripolium pannonicum. Due to pronounced intraspecific variation, it is assumed that the species of the C. succinctus group are either species in statu nascendi or very young species. Therefore, it remains important to include ecological data in species identification.
Highlights
Colletes Latreille, 1802 is a solitary bee genus belonging to the family Colletidae
Narrower than in C. succinctus, with slightly pointed apex cuticle reticulated between puncturation with smooth centre, variable in size coarsely punctured, no transverse furrow at the lower end, with longitudinal wrinkles, inclining mesad towards the end dull and reticulated between sensilla segments long and lean coarsely punctured, with black-brown hairs in its centre puncturation with shiny intervals that are larger than diameters of punctures hairless centre of declivity narrow stripes of setae at posterior margins more deeply and coarsely punctured than in C. succinctus
Colletes brevigena widening towards dorsal end, tapering to a mediolateral point, lateral margin more depressed than mesal margin cuticle smooth between puncturation dull, with punctures of the same size as on clypeus longitudinally wrinkled, distal margin of clypeus exceeding mandible base dull and reticulated part between sensilla restricted to the distal half segments long and lean densely punctured densely punctured, punctures can merge and form wrinkles hairy broad stripes of setae at posterior margins more coarsely, densely and finely punctured than in C. succinctus
Summary
Colletes Latreille, 1802 is a solitary bee genus belonging to the family Colletidae. Their common English name “polyester bees” is derived from a characteristic cellophane nest lining. 21 species of the genus Colletes are reported from Austria (Gusenleitner et al 2012). The Palaearctic species were divided into 26 species groups (Noskiewicz 1936). The Colletes succinctus group is notorious for being a taxonomic challenge. It is defined by two synapomorphies: two deep lateral pits at sternum 6 (subgenital plate) of the males and a redbrown transparent basal margin of gaster tergum 1 (Noskiewicz 1936, Kuhlmann et al 2007)
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