Two new species of Melitoma Lepeletier and Serville from South America (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini), with modified hind legs in the males

Abstract

Se describen dos nuevas especies de Melitoma Lepeletier y Serville: M. fulviscopis n. sp. de Matto Grosso, Brasil, y M. torquata n. sp. del sudeste y sur de Brasil, y norte de la Argentina. Los machos presentan un particular basitarso posterior, único entre las abejas emphorinas, que sugiere un estrecho parentesco entre ambas especies. El basitarso tiene en la cara interna una depresión lisa en forma de canal longitudinal, bordeada de largos pelos.

Two new species of Melitoma Lepeletier and Serville are described: M. fulviscopis n. sp. from Matto Grosso, Brazil, and M. torquata n. sp. from southeastern and southern Brazil, and northern Argentina. The males have a peculiar hind basitarsus, unique among emphorine bees, that suggests a close relationship of the two species. The basitarsus bears, on the inner surface, a longitudinal channel-like polished depression fringed with long hairs.