Revisión de la morfología genital masculina de Eulaema (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

Although the morphological characters of the male genital capsule and the associated sternites of the five genera of euglossine bees is generally well known, the male genital morphology of many species of the genus Euglossa and Eulaema has not been described before. The genital characters can be useful for the determination of species and for the examination of phylogenetic relationships. The morphology of male genital capsules of all 15 Eulaema species is presented. 30 dry conserved and needled specimens were observed. Eleven genital and non-genital chracteres are proposed to explore the relationships between the species of Eulaema, including the subgeneric status. The results confirm the present division of the genus into two subgerera (Eulaema s.str. and Apeulaema) and three groups are proposed in Eulaema s.str. An updated key for the males of Eulaema is presented.