Curved fossil bee cells as tools for reconstructing the evolutionary history and palaeogeographical distribution of Diphaglossinae (Apoidea, Colletidae). (20th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarzetti, Laura C.; Dinghi, Pablo A.; Genise, Jorge F.; Bedatou, Emilio; Verde, Mariano; Dunlop, Jason
• Is Part Of: Palaeontology. Volume 57:Part 2(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 447
• Page End: 455
• Publication Date: 2013-09-20
• Subjects: Paleontology -- Periodicals; 560
• DOI: 10.1111/pala.12074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-0239

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="pala12074-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The new ichnospecies <italic>Celliforma curvata</italic> is described to include curved fossil bee cells from Argentina, Uruguay and the USA. The upper part of the cell (neck) of the new ichnospecies is curved, and accordingly, it can be attributed to bees of the subfamily Diphaglossinae (Colletidae). The oldest record of <italic>C. curvata</italic>, from the early Eocene of North America (52–49 Ma), provides a minimum age for the appearance of this subfamily, in accordance with an already proposed calibrated phylogeny. It is also proposed that these fossil cells could be used for future calibrations of molecular clocks. <italic>C. curvata</italic> indicates that Diphaglossinae had a widespread distribution, from southern Utah to extra‐Andean Patagonia at 42°S. In contrast, extant representatives reach only 38°S in this region. Diphaglossinae were more extended southwards in the past thanks to better environmental conditions in extra‐Andean Patagonia.</p> </abstract>