DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.75.e169092

Authors: Thomas J. Wood

Abstract: Pachymelus Smith, 1879, is a small bee genus comprising 21 species restricted to sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Despite the small size of the genus, several uncertainties persist within the subgenus Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) Cockerell, 1905, which contains five species and is restricted to sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a revision of museum material and inspection of contemporary collections, a number of changes are implemented. Pachymelus bettoni (Cockerell, 1910), described in the male sex, was incorrectly considered to be a distinct species; it is actually the male of Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) conspicuus Smith, 1879, syn. nov., and is returned to synonymy with it. Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) armatipes (Friese, 1911), stat. rev. is returned to species status, having been incorrectly considered conspecific with P. conspicuus. Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) haladai sp. nov. is described from Ethiopia. A lectotype is designated for Habropoda capensis Cameron, 1905 (= Pachymelus festivus (Dours, 1869)) from material that was previously considered lost; the species is newly reported from East Africa (Kenya), and the status of Afromelecta lieftincki Eardley, 1991 is discussed. The type locality of Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) abessinicus (Friese, 1912) is clarified, moving from Uganda to Kenya, which is shown to host five of the now six members of this subgenus. These revisions further illustrate the need for greater survey effort and taxonomic revision of bees in dry parts of Eastern Africa.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.75.e155202

Authors: Vinicius S. Ferreira

Abstract: Ceratogeusis thamiresae Ferreira, gen. et sp. nov., the first Telegeusinae with flabellate antennae, is described from Panama. The new genus and species is diagnosed and illustrated, and an updated key for the genera of Telegeusinae is given. The Telegeusinae genus Platydrilus López-Pérez & Zaragoza-Caballero, 2021, was discovered to be a junior homonym of Platydrilus Michaelsen, 1891 (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Eudrilidae), and therefore a pre-occupied name.

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DOI: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e107520

Authors: Wan F. A. Jusoh, Lesley Ballantyne

Abstract: Type specimens of flashing fireflies (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Luciolinae) in the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden (RMNH) collection were documented. Specimens explicitly marked or indicated as types belonging to the lucioline fireflies were investigated with each specimen and its accompanying labels photographed, and its morphological characters analysed and compared with the original species description. The genitalia dissections of selected types enabled redescription and clarification of the taxonomic status of seven name-bearing type specimens. This study provides the first redescriptions of holotypes, designation of lectotypes for five species, and confirmation that two of these belong in the genus Luciola s. str. A lectotype and paralectotype were designated for two specimens of Luciola cerea Gorham, 1882 which is confirmed to belong to the genus Curtos Motschulsky, 1845. Atyphella testaceolineata Pic, 1939 was redescribed and figured based on the holotype (an incomplete specimen). We assigned Luciola laticollis Gorham, 1883 and Luciola nicollieri Bugnion, 1922 to Luciola sensu stricto and Luciola picea Gorham, 1882 to species inquirenda. The identity of Pteroptyx decolor Olivier, 1911 is finally confirmed as a close Indonesian relative of Pteroptyx valida Olivier,1909 and a lectotype is designated. In addition, we take the first opportunity to present pictures of the original holotype of Pygoluciola stylifer Wittmer, 1939. We also discuss the challenges taxonomists face in identifying specimens and how detailed dissections allow us to present descriptions of certain male features not previously addressed.

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