Pseudapis kuhlmanni Pauly & Monks & Polaszek 2023, sp. nov.

Pseudapis kuhlmanni Pauly & Monks sp. nov. (Figs 2–6). Description. Male. Length 7–8 mm. Colour: body black; mandibles, undersides of antennae, tibiae and sterna brown; apical lobe of hind tibiae, tarsi (except last segment of middle legs and tarsi of hind legs) ivory white; tegulae white with a black central spot. Pubescence white, slightly ochraceous (Figs 2, 3A). Lower part of face, frons and part of vertex covered with filamentous pubescence (Fig. 3B); anterior and posterior edge of mesoscutum, anterior edge of scutellum and metanotum with short scaly pubescence (Fig. 3C); base and latero-apical parts of the first tergum (Fig. 3E), base and apical margin of subsequent terga with tomentose bands (Fig. 3F). Lower surface of the posterior femora with relatively short spatulate bristles, as in P. interstitinervis (Strand, 1912) (Fig. 4B; cf. also Fig. 165 in Pauly, 1990). Punctation and structures. Mesoscutum smooth with moderate punctation, the distance between punctures with an average size of 0.5-1 puncture diameter (Fig. 3C). Scutellum without projections (Fig. 3C). Propodeal area narrow, slightly grooved and keeled posteriorly (Fig. 3D). Hind femora swollen. Hind tibiae with well-developed lobes (Fig. 4A). Apical tarsal segment of mid legs black, slightly dilated, without long bristles (Fig. 6A). Metasomal terga with strong punctation, the distance between punctures equal to their diameter (Fig. 3F), the apical margin of the first tergum with fine punctation (Fig. 3E). Sternum 4 with two small medio-apical lamellae, closer together than in P. interstitinervis (compare Figs. 4 C, D), the lateral parts of the sternum slightly raised to form a plateau as in P. interstitinervis. Sternum 5 with a medio-longitudinal keel slightly convex in the middle (Figs 4 C, E). Genitalia (Figs 4E, F). Female. Length 7.5–8 mm. Colour: Body black (Fig. 5A), tibiae and hind tarsi orange (Fig 5B). Tegulae white with a black spot at the base (Fig. 6C). Pubescence white (Fig. 5A). Face with long white bristles on the clypeus and the paraocular areas, the vertex and the supra-clypeal area with few bristles, the punctation being clearly visible (Fig. 6A). Anterior border of mesoscutum and metanotum with short, felted pubescence (Fig. 6C). Terga with apical felt bands, the first two interrupted (Fig. 6F). First tergum with two lateral spots at the base (Fig. 6E). Punctation and structures. Head rounded, height / width = 1:1 (Fig. 6A). Mesoscutum smooth, the punctures moderately spaced, the distance between punctures with an average size of 1-1.5 puncture diameter (Fig. 6C). Propodeal area with posterior grooves (Fig. 6D). Punctation of the first tergum relatively strong and moderately spaced in the middle, the apical margin finely punctate (Fig. 6E). Punctation of tergum 2 and the following similar (Fig. 6F), stronger than in P. nilotica (Smith, 1875). Diagnosis. This species belongs to the genus Pseudapis by its large tegulae and the apical bands on the terga (in the close genus Nomiapis there are only basal bands). Male. In the key of Pauly (1990), we arrive at couplet 16, and in the key of Bossert & Pauly (2019) at couplet 18. Like P. interstitinervis, this new species has the last tarsal segment of the midleg modified in a broad black disc and without brushes, scutellum without projections, two lobes on the apical margin of sternum 4, and the lobe of the hind tibia identical (Fig 4A and Fig. 4B). The new species differs by the two lobes of the apical margin of sternum 4 which are closer together (Figs 4C, E) than in P. interstitinervis (Fig. 4D). The species differs also by its geographic distribution limited to the Arabian Peninsula, while P. interstitinervis occurs in the African continent. The key to males in Bossert & Pauly (2019) should be updated as follows: 18. Sternum 4 without lateral carinae but with two lobes on apical margin of different shape (Fig. 187 in Pauly, 1990); hind leg tibia weakly developed apically, shape as in Fig. 166 in Pauly, 1990.......................... P. edentata (Morawitz, 1876) - Sternum 4 with two lateral carinae and two lobes on apical margin (Fig. 4C,D,E); tibia of hind leg strongly widened apically, flat (Fig. 4A)...................................................................................... 18a 18a. Lobes of the apical margin of sternum 4 distantly separated (Fig 4D); continental tropical Africa................................................................................................. P. interstitinervis (Strand, 1912) - Lobes of the apical margin of sternum 4 closer together (Figs 4C, E); Arabian Peninsula.................................................................................................. P. kuhlmanni Pauly & Monks sp. nov. Female. In the key of Pauly (1990), we arrive at couplet 7, in the group of P. interstitinervis: scutum smooth and not tessellated, propodeal area bordered posteriorly, the spaced punctuation of the scutum, the white pubescence, the spaced punctuation of the first tergum, the quite strong punctuation of the tergum 2, the apical bands of the terga narrower than in P. nilotica (Smith, 1875) (= P. armata auct. in the key). It is almost indistinguishable from that of P. interstitinervis. The punctation and the orange coloration of the posterior tibiae are the same. The female can however be separated by its geographic distribution, since P. interstitinervis and the other inseparable females of the group interstitinervis in couplet 7, P. innesi (Gribodo, 1894), P. duplocincta (Vachal, 1897) and P. dixica (Warncke, 1976), are strictly African and do not occur in the Arabian Peninsula. Etymology. Named for the melittologist Michael Kuhlmann, who collected the holotype. Holotype. 1♁, Oman, Muscat—Quriat Wadi at road, 70 m, 23°32.23′N 59°31.11′E, on red Fabaceae, 17.XII.2003, leg. M.Kuhlmann (KUH) (the col.Kuhlmann is preserved in the Zoological Museum of the Kiel University, Germany). Paratypes. Oman. Muscat —Quriat Wadi at road, 70 m, N 23°32.23′ E 59°31.11′, on red Fabaceae, 17.XII.2003, 2♁, 5♀, leg. M. Kuhlmann (KUH).—Al Mazaree, Wadi Dhayqah, 100m, 23°06.20′N 58°51.57′E, on Aerva javanica (Amaranthaceae), 18.XII.2003, 1♁, 5♀ leg. M. Kuhlmann (KUH).— S. Nizwa, Wadi Ghul, 22°53.01′N 57°31.08′E, 500 m, garden, 16.XII.2003, 1♀, leg. M. Kuhlmann (KUH).— Dhofar, Rd 48 Wadi Darbat, 17°03.14′N 54°25.58′E, 23 m (75ft), 9.IX.2000, 1♁, leg. F. Strumia (MSNP).— Dhofar, Wadi Ashawq, 16°53.90′N 53°46.30′E, 58 m (190ft), 4.IV.2001, Boswellia sacra, 1♀, leg. F. Strumia & P.L. Scaramozzino (MSNP), 9.IX.2002, 2♀, leg. F. Strumia (MSNP).— Dhofar, first watering place, 17°03.06‘N 54°50.97‘E, 134 m (440ft), 7.IX.2000, 1♀, leg. M. Generari (MSNP).— Dhofar, Khor Rouri (Taqah), 17°02.27‘N 54°26.16‘E, 37 m (120ft), 12.IX.2000, Limonium sp., 1♀, leg. M. Generari & P.L. Scaramozzino (MSNP).—Batinah, Rd10 Murri, 23°27.48′N 57°05.64′E, 700 m, 10.iv.2001, 1♀, leg. F. Strumia & P.L. Scaramozzino (MSNP).—Yiti (wadi), 23°31.45′N 058°37.24′S, 69 m, 21.VI.2016, Vachellia tortilis, 1♁, 1♀, 31.I.2017, Euphorbia larica, 1♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Samail Village, 23°15.91′N 057°59′03”E, 423 m, 22.VI.2016, Ochradenus aucheri, 1♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Ghubrah Canyon, 23°26.49′N 057°52.46′E, 289 m, 27.VI.2016, Acridocarpus orientalis, 1♁, 1♀, 28.I.2017, Euphorbia larica, 2♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Al Awabi, 23°16.07′ N 057°30.56′E, 619 m, 31.I.2017, Ochradenus aucheri, 1♁, 2♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Al Fara, 23°18.58′N 057°28.55′E, 485 m, 29.I.2017, Aerva javanica, 1♀, leg. J. Monks (NHMUK).—Birkat Al-Mouz, 22°57.32′N 057°39.63′E, 631 m, 26.I.2016, Euphorbia larica, 1♁, 25.IV.2016, 1♀, leg. J. Monks (ONHM).—Jebel Shams, 23°13.21′N 57°11.38′E, 1907 m, 1♁, leg. J. Monks (ONHM).—Hajar Mts, above Snake Gorge, 23°12.38′N 57°23.35′E, 922 m, 17.III.2018, 1♀, leg. A. Polaszek, NHMUK013377643 (NHMUK).—Hajar Mts, nr Bima, 23°12.44′N 057°23.08′E, 865 m 17.III.2018, 1♀, leg. A. Polaszek, NHMUK013377635 (NHMUK).—Bald Sayt, 23°19.04′N 057°38.78′E, 17.III.2018, 1♁, leg. J. Monks, NHM010819703 (NHMUK). Geographic distribution. Known only from Oman (Figs. 1, B, C, D). Host plants. Pseudapis kuhlmanni was collected from the flowers of seven plant families, and consequently appears to be polylectic as are other species of the genus. Whether the bee exhibits floral constancy at certain times of the year or is a generalist throughout the season is unknown. In the Hajar Mountains P. kuhlmanni was recorded from the flowers of the following plants: Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Shult (Amaranthaceae) (Fig. 12B), Euphorbia larica Boiss (Euphorbiaceae), Vachellia tortilis (Forssk.) Galasso & Banfi (Fabaceae), Acridocarpus orientalis A. Juss (Malpighiaceae) (Fig. 12A) and Ochradenus aucheri Boiss (Resedaceae) (Fig. 12C). All these plants are typical of the flora of the arid lowland Hajar Mountains. In Dhofar, the bee was recorded from Boswellia sacra Fleuck (Burseraceae) and a species of Limonium (Plumbaginaceae). Limonium axillare (Forssk.), L. milleri Ghaz. & Edmondson, L. stocksii (Boiss) have all been recorded from Dhofar (Ghazanfar, 2003).Published as part of Pauly, Alain, Monks, Joseph & Polaszek, Andrew, 2023, Two new species of Pseudapis Kirby, 1900 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Nomiinae) from Oman, pp. 107-121 in Zootaxa 5263 (1) on pages 109-114, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5263.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/779787