A Classification of Nest Architecture of Bees in the Tribe Augochlorini (Hymenoptera: Halictidae; Halictinae), with Description of a Brazilian Nest of Rhinocorynura inflaticeps

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A nest of R. inflaticeps, a rare Brazilian halictine bee, is described for the 1st time. The main burrow ends in a cavity in which the brood cells are clustered. No blind burrow issues from the cavity. The cell cluster is brittle and supported by pillars. The vertical cells are not closely spaced. In general appearance the nest resembles those of Pseudaugochloropsis and Neocorynura. Known nest types of Augochlorini are reclassified using arrangement and orientation of cells and presence or absence of lateroid burrows. Compared with those of Halictini, nests of Augochlorini are generally more specialized by absence of laterals, frequent appearance of clustered cells, and frequent vertical orientation of cells. A cladistic analysis of augochlorine nest types suggests the parallel evolution of 2 types of cluster nests, one with thick-walled clusters of predominantly vertical cells and one with thin-walled clusters of horizontal or tilted cells, and a secondary evolution of the supposedly primitive unclustered cells of Augochlora (Oxystoglossella). Nest types suggest that Paroxystoglossa and Augochlorodes were incorrectly placed in generic groups based on adult morphology.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: