1. DNA barcoding the bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Chile: species discovery in a reasonably well known bee fauna with the description of a new species of Lonchopria (Colletidae)
Laurence Packer, Luisa Ruz Genome. 2017 May;60(5):414-430. doi: 10.1139/gen-2016-0071. Epub 2016 Nov 21.
We compare the diversity of bees in the Chilean fauna as understood from traditional taxonomy-based catalogues with that currently known from DNA barcodes using the BIN system informed by ongoing morphology-based taxonomic research. While DNA barcode surveys of the Chilean bee fauna remain incomplete, it is clear that new species can readily be distinguished using this method and that morphological differentiation of distinct barcode clusters is sometimes very easy. We assess the situation in two genera in some detail. In Lonchopria Vachal one "species" is readily separable into two BINs that are easily differentiated based upon male mandibular and genitalic morphology (characters generally used in this group) as well as female hair patterns. Consequently, we describe Lonchopria (Lonchopria) heberti Packer and Ruz, new species. For Liphanthus Reed, a large number of new species has been detected using DNA barcoding and considerable additional traditional morphological work will be required to describe them. When we add the number of BINs (whether identified to named species or not) to the number of Chilean bee species that we know have not been barcoded (both described and new species under study in our laboratories) we conclude that the bee fauna of Chile is substantially greater than the 436 species currently known. Spanish language abstract available as supplementary data 1 .
2. [The subgenus Megachile (Dasymegachile) Mitchell with special reference to the Argentine species (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)]
Silvana Durante, Alberto H Abrahamovich, Mariano Lucia Neotrop Entomol. 2006 Nov-Dec;35(6):791-802. doi: 10.1590/s1519-566x2006000600012.
Seventeen species of Megachile (Dasymegachile) are recognized, twelve species from Chile, nine species from Argentina, three from Peru and one from Bolivia. Descriptions, illustrations, and keys for the identification for the Argentinean species are provided. The geographical distributions in Argentina are revised; M. cinerea and M. melanotricha are recorded for the first time from Argentina. Two species are also newly recorded from Chile.
3. Fifteen new species of Chilicola (Oroediscelis) (Hymenoptera: Colletidae: Xeromelissinae) with illustrated keys to the males and females of the subgenus
Laurence Packer, Sheila Dumesh Zootaxa. 2019 Feb 18;4559(1):1-56. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4559.1.1.
Fifteen new species of Chilicola subgenus Oroediscelis are described and illustrated. The following 11 species are from Argentina recording a remarkable diversity and the first records of the subgenus in the country: Chilicola capillitas Packer and Dumesh, new species, C. abrebotellas, Packer and Dumesh, new species; C. goloboffi Packer and Dumesh, new species; C. fritzi, Packer and Dumesh, new species; C. rozeni Packer and Dumesh, new species; C. roigi Packer and Dumesh, new species; C. carpenteri Packer Dumesh, new species; C. calchaqui Packer and Dumesh, new species; C. jaguense Packer and Dumesh, new species; C. cuyense Dumesh Packer, new species; and C. huarpe Packer and Dumesh, new species. Chilicola pustulata Packer and Dumesh, new species, and Chilicola luna Dumesh, and Packer new species, are described from Peru; C. boharti Packer and Dumesh, new species, and C. ashei Dumesh and Packer, new species, are described from Bolivia, where C. carpenteri also occurs. An unusual feature of the male antennae is described: long setae on F2 and F3 (less commonly F4) that are appressed to, and occasionally longer than, the succeeding flagellomere. Additional records for previously described species are listed and a revised key to males is provided as well as a provisional complete key for all females.
