First records and description of metallic red females of Euglossa (Alloglossura) gorgonensis Cheesman, with notes on color variation within the species (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Berry J Brosi, Emory University; Ismael A. Hinojosa-Diaz, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-09-25
• Publisher: Pensoft Publishers
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © Ismael A. Hinojosa-Díaz, Berry J. Brosi
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.335.6134
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: ZooKeys
• ISSN: 1313-2989
• Volume: 335
• Start Page: 113
• End Page: 119
• Grant/Funding Information: Support for B. Brosi’s fieldwork that led to the collection of the specimens came from funding to the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University from the Koret, McDonnell, Sherwood and Winslow Foundations, and Peter and Helen Bing, to the Stanford University Center for Conservation Biology.
• Keywords: orchid bees; color variation; Euglossa; Apoidea; Costa Rica
• Research Categories: Biology, Entomology; Biology, Animal Physiology

Abstract

Metallic coloration is one of the signatures of orchid bees of the genus Euglossa, with some species showing variation associated with their geographic range. Euglossa (Alloglossura) gorgonensis Cheesman exhibits color variation, ranging from mainly green specimens in the southern extreme of its range (Pacific slope of Colombia), to noticeably reddish specimens in parts of the northern known limits of its range (Pacific slope of southern Costa Rica). Here we present the first description of females from Costa Rica belonging to the reddish extreme of the color variation.