A phylogenetic study of the Thygater‐Trichocerapis group and new scopes for the subgenera of Thygater Holmberg, (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Abstract

The bee tribe Eucerini is a large monophyletic taxon occurring in all continents, except Oceania and Antarctica, but far more diverse in the Americas and, especially, in the Neotropics. The phylogenetic relationships within its subtribe Eucerina, which contains the bulk of Eucerini diversity, is poorly understood, this being especially true for the relationships among its Neotropical representatives, which have been poorly represented in all phylogenetic studies, including Eucerini, to date. This leads to a generalized lack of confidence on the monophyly of the groups currently accepted as genera and subgenera. Here, a phylogenetic study based on three molecular markers (COI, 18S, and 28S, totalling about 1700 bp) and 58 morphological characters is presented as a contribution to the understanding of the relationships of the so‐called Thygater‐Trichocerapis group, and especially of the genus Thygater Holmberg, which has not previously been extensively sampled. Representatives of Trichocerapis, including its monotypic subgenus T. (Dithygater), are included for the first time in a phylogenetic study. The main results were: (i) support for the monophyly of the Thygater‐Trichocerapis group; (ii) support for the monophyly of Thygater; (iii) recognition of two main clades in Thygater, each one containing the type species of one of the previously recognized subgenera; and (iv) additional support for the position of Alloscirtetica as sister to all remaining Eucerina. Based on these results a redefinition of the scope of the two subgenera of Thygater is proposed, with changes in the subordination of three of its species, T. (Nectarodiaeta) chaetaspis comb.n., T. (Nectarodiaeta) paranaensis comb.n. and T. (Thygater) mexicana comb.n.

A tribute to Fernando A. Silveira and his contributions to bee research

“…Two decades after Abelhas Brasileiras was published, this book has received over 1,000 citations (Google Scholar, accessed 03 November 2023). Fernando's contributions to taxonomy, phylogenetics, and biogeography extended well beyond exomalopsine bees, having encompassed other taxa of Apidae, as well as Colletidae, Halictidae, and Megachilidae (Azevedo & Silveira 2005;Ferrari et al 2016Ferrari et al , 2017Ferrari & Silveira 2015;Freitas et al 2018Freitas et al , 2019Freitas et al , 2023Freitas & Silveira 2017;Moure & Silveira 1992;Santos Júnior et al 2015, 2022Santos & Silveira 2009;Silveira 2009Silveira , 2007bSilveira & Martines 2009;Vélez & Silveira 2006;Zama et al 2019), totaling 22 new species and five new family-group taxa (Appendix). His contributions to bee biology were also important and considerably improved our knowledge of Brazilian bees (e.g., Cardoso & Silveira 2012;Carmo et al 2004;Martins et al 1999;Pompeu & Silveira 2005;Silveira 1991Silveira , 2002Simeão et al 2015), and put their conservation on a solid foundation (Machado et al 2008;Pinheiro-Machado et al 2002b;Pires et al 2008Pires et al , 2014aSilveira 2008;.…”