Title | Paleoeuglossa melissiflora gen. n., sp. n. (Euglossinae : Apidae), fossil orchid bees in Dominican amber |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1998 |
Authors | Poinar, GO |
Journal | Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society |
Volume | 71 |
Pagination | 29-34 |
Type of Article | Journal Article |
ISSN | 0022-8567 |
Abstract | The first fossil orchid bees are described from amber deposits in the Dominican Republic. These bees are assigned to the new genus and species, Paleoeuglossa melissiflora (Euglossinae: Apidae) and are thought to represent a progenitor to the Eulnema-Euglossa clade. The fossil bees are characterized by a genal projection, scutellar tuft and a protruding supra-clypeal ridge. The discovery of two female specimens together in the same piece of amber suggest that these female orchid bees also used resin for nest construction some 20-40 million years ago. |
URL | <Go to ISI>://WOS:000078825000005 |