Nine new species and new records of euryglossiform Scrapter Lepeletier & Serville (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) from South Africa

Nine new species of the South African endemic group of euryglossiform bees of the genus Scrapter Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 are described, thus bringing the total number of species to 29 in this species-group: Scrapter avontuurensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♀, S. bokkeveldensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♀, S. fynbosensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♀, S. hergi Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♂, S. keiskiensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♀, S. mellonholgeri Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♀♂, S. nitens Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♀, S. oubergensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♀ and S. willemstrydomi Kuhlmann sp. nov. ♂. The new replacement name S. punctulatus nom. nov. is proposed for S. punctatus Kuhlmann, 2014 which is a junior primary homonym of S. punctatus Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1825 (= Allodape punctata [Lepeletier & Audinet-Serville, 1825]). Moreover, new records for already described taxa are presented and an updated key to all species of euryglossiform Scrapter is provided.


Diagnosis
The female of S. avontuurensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of this group by the combination of the following characters: head distinctly broader than long; supraclypeal area and clypeus relatively sparsely and coarsely punctate, only partly superfi cially sculptured and slightly matt (Fig. 1B); scutum densely but relatively coarsely punctate (Fig. 1C); propodeum basally broadly and distinctly carinate (Fig. 1D); stigma brown; apical margins of metasomal terga broadly translucent dark reddish-brown; terga between punctures superfi cially sculptured and slightly matt (Fig. 1E). The male is unknown.

Male
Unknown.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality north of Nieuwoudtville.

Diagnosis
The female of S. bokkeveldensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of this group by the combination of the following characters: supraclypeal area and clypeus superfi cially sculptured but shiny, sparsely and coarsely punctate (Fig. 2B); scutum relatively densely and coarsely punctate (Fig. 2C); propodeum only laterally with distinct but fi ne carination (Fig. 2D); stigma brown; apical margins of metasomal terga black; terga fi nely and densely punctate (Fig. 2E). The male is unknown.

Etymology
Named after the Bokkeveld Plateau that stretches along the escarpment north and south of Nieuwoudtville. HEAD. Head slightly wider than long. Integument black, except part of mandibles dark reddish-brown. Face sparsely covered with long, greyish, erect hair (Fig. 2B). Clypeus slightly convex with coarse and relatively sparse (i = 1-3 d) punctation; surface between punctures superfi cially sculptured but shiny (Fig. 2B). Malar area medially narrow, almost linear. Antenna dorsally blackish-brown, ventrally yellowish-brown.

Male
Unknown.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality north of Nieuwoudtville.

Diagnosis
The female of S. fynbosensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of this group by the combination of the following characters: supraclypeal area and clypeus superfi cially sculptured but shiny (Fig. 3B); scutum between punctures reticulate and matt (Fig. 3C); foretibia dominantly blackish; stigma brown; apical margins of metasomal terga broadly translucent yellowish-brown; terga between punctures superfi cially sculptured and slightly matt (Fig. 3E). The male is unknown.

Etymology
Named after the Fynbos biome where this species was discovered. HEAD. Head slightly wider than long. Integument black, except part of mandibles dark reddish-brown. Face sparsely covered with long, greyish, erect hair (Fig. 3B). Clypeus almost fl at with relatively dense (i = 1-2 d) and shallow punctation; surface between punctures only partly sculptured and shiny (Fig. 3B). Malar area medially narrow, almost linear. Antenna dorsally blackish-brown, ventrally yellowishbrown.

Male
Unknown.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality north of Nieuwoudtville.

Floral hosts
Unknown.

Seasonal activity
July.

Etymology
The species is dedicated to Hergen ('Hergi') Erhardt, Edewecht (Germany) who joined and supported me (MK) in a couple of collecting trips; noun in apposition.

Description Female
Unknown.
WINGS. Slightly yellowish-brown; wing venation and stigma brown.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality in the northern part of the Roggeveld Mts south of Calvinia.

Floral hosts
Unknown.

Seasonal activity
September.

Diagnosis
The female of S. keiskiensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of this group by the combination of the following characters: head distinctly broader than long; supraclypeal area and clypeus sculptured and matt, densely and distinctly punctate (Fig. 5B); scutum densely and relatively coarsely punctate (Fig. 5C); propodeum indistinctly and shallowly carinate (Fig. 5D); stigma brown; apical margins of metasomal terga black or only slightly translucent dark reddish-brown; terga between punctures superfi cially sculptured and slightly matt (Fig. 5E). The male is unknown.

Etymology
Named after the Keiski Mts south of Calvinia where this species was fi rst collected.

Male
Unknown.

Distribution
Only known from the northern extension of the Roggeveld Mts and the adjacent Keiski Mts.

Diagnosis
The female of S. mellonholgeri Kuhlmann sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of this group by the combination of the following characters: head distinctly broader than long; supraclypeal area and clypeus superfi cially sculptured and slightly matt, coarsely and densely to sparsely punctate (Fig. 6B); scutum mostly relatively sparse and slightly coarsely punctate ( Fig. 6C-D); propodeum basally just slightly ( Fig. 6E-F); stigma brown; apical margins of metasomal terga slightly translucent dark reddishbrown; terga densely and fi nely punctate (Fig. 6G). The male is characterized by an unmodifi ed antenna; coarsely and densely punctate scutum; fi nely and densely punctate metasomal terga (Fig. 7C); hind tibia apically broadened inside, forming a spine (Fig. 7E); third hind tarsus unmodifi ed (Fig. 7G) and the shape of S7 (Fig. 7F).
HEAD. Head slightly wider than long. Integument black, except mandible partly dark reddish-brown. Face densely covered with long, greyish-white, erect hair. Malar area medially narrow, almost linear. Antenna dorsally dark brown, ventrally yellowish-brown except last three fl agellar segments completely or largely brown.
WINGS. Slightly yellowish-brown; wing venation and stigma brown.

Distribution
Recorded from the northern part of the Roggeveld Mts and the Kamisberg Mts.

Seasonal activity
August-September.

Diagnosis
The female of S. nitens Kuhlmann sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of this group by the combination of the following characters: clypeus almost fl at (Fig. 8B); scutum sparsely and coarsely punctate (Fig. 8C); foretibia dominantly dark blackish-brown; stigma brown; apical margins of metasomal terga broadly yellowish-brown; metasomal terga between punctures smooth and shiny (Fig. 8E). The male is unknown.

Male
Unknown.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality NE of Steinkopf.

Seasonal activity
September.

Diagnosis
The female of S. oubergensis Kuhlmann sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of this group by the combination of the following characters: supraclypeal area and clypeus coarsely and densely punctate and shiny, only partly superfi cially sculptured and slightly matt (Fig. 9B); scutum coarsely but relatively densely punctate (Fig. 9C); basal area of propodeum medially about as long as metanotum (Fig. 9D); stigma brown; apical margins of metasomal terga black; terga densely and fi nely punctate (Fig. 9E). The male is unknown.

Male
Unknown.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality, a mountain pass in the southern Knersvlakte SE of Vanrhynsdorp.

Diagnosis
The male of S. willemstrydomi Kuhlmann sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of this group by its hind tibia with a long, broadened spine, the apically swollen hind basitarsus and the triangular broadened third hind tarsus (Fig. 10E). The female is unknown.

Etymology
This species is dedicated to the sculptor and painter Willem Strydom (° 30 June 1954 - † 2 June 2019) from Matjiesfontein south of Nieuwoudtville. The bee is as unique as he was. Willem encouraged me (MK) to explore remote mountainous regions, especially between Calvinia and Sutherland, and he generously shared his passion and knowledge about this area, which over the years has led to the discovery of numerous new species.

Description Female
Unknown.
WINGS. Slightly yellowish-brown; wing venation and stigma brown.

Distribution
Only known from the type locality in the Kamiesberg Mts.

Floral hosts
Unknown.

Seasonal activity
September.

Distribution
This is the fi rst record outside the semi-desert plane of the Knersvlakte and a signifi cant range extension to the north into the Kamiesberg Mts. (Friese, 1909) Polyglossa albitarsis Friese, 1909: 87, 124. (133 specimens

Distribution
The species was previously only known from the wider Nieuwoudtville area so the record from the Cederberg Mts is a signifi cant range extension to the south. Kuhlmann, 2014 Scrapter papkuilsi Kuhlmann, 2014: 41-44

Distribution
Scrapter spinipes was collected for the fi rst time in the semi-desert plain of the Knersvlakte and the Kamiesberg Mts. The latter is a signifi cant northward range extension. Kuhlmann, 2014 Scrapter ulrikae Kuhlmann, 2014: 61-65

Distribution
The records of S. ulrikae from the Kamiesberg Mts are a signifi cant range extension to the north.

Key to species of euryglossiform Scrapter
Here, we provide an updated key for the identifi cation of euryglossiform Scrapter, by Kuhlmann (2014), including the newly described species.

Discussion
In the present study, nine new species of the bee genus Scrapter are described, bringing the total number to 68 and increasing the number of euryglossiform Scrapter by 45% to 29. In addition, new records are presented for ten species, partly resulting in a signifi cant extension of the known ranges for some of them. We decided to describe eight of the new species based on one or two specimens only because they showed unique traits not present in related species and the range of variation in all related species is such that there is no overlap of traits. Naming these species is also meant to point out the urgent need for a better documentation of a unique and rich endemic bee fauna in the Greater Cape Floristic Region, which is particularly vulnerable to and affected by climate change (Kuhlmann et al. 2012).
Almost all of the new species were collected in South Africa over the last fi ve years, despite the unfavourable drought conditions, indicating that the new species described in this paper probably represent only part of the true diversity of the group. The discovery of numerous new species, many of them represented only by a single specimen, over a short period of time in a relatively small region highlights the need for more collecting effort even in relatively well sampled regions of the GCFR. This is also supported by the fact that 17 of the 29 species of euryglossiform Scrapter are only known from females and four only from the male sex.