A New Subterranean Species of Tetragonula Moure, 1961 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) from Wokha (Nagaland, India) with Comparative Notes on the Species from India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v73i3.12422Keywords:
stingless bee, subterranean, India, Tetragonula, morphometry, nest architectureAbstract
This paper describes a new subterranean species of stingless bee, Tetragonula yikhumensis Odyuo sp. nov., with associated males from Wokha district of Nagaland, India. It is the largest species of stingless bees found in India. It is distinctive in shape, size, colouration pubescence and especially their genital capsule and its associated sterna. The S5 apicomedial region has a parabolic concavity, the apicomedial process of S6 is urn shaped, the gonostylus has a lateral origin and the penis valve has a distinctive shape. This paper supports many prior studies that have emphasised the significance of males for distinguishing close species and for erecting new ones as the samples studied exhibited variation. A brief account of the nest structure as well as an updated checklist of stingless bees found in India is also provided.
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