Euglossa decorata Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in central Brazil - Biogeographic implications

Abstract

Euglossa decorata Smith is currently regarded as endemic to the Amazon Basin. In the present study, a report is discussed of the presence of E. decorata in Uberlândia municipality, state of Minas Gerais, which is in the "Cerrado" or Brazilian savanna, and which extends the bee's known geographic range over 2,000 km southwards. E. decorata either failed to respond to ancient vicariant events that caused speciation in other animal clades or expanded its range after geographical barriers ceased to exist between Amazonian and central Brazilian biogeographical components. This species may be endangered in the Uberlândia region, due to extensive habitat destruction. © 2007 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - UFMG.