Eulaema (Apeulaema) felipei sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossina): a new forest-dependent orchid bee found at the brink of extinction in northeastern Brazil

摘要

Eulaema (Apeulaema) felipei sp. n., a species extremely similar to the Amazonian Eulaema (Apeulaema) mocsaryi (Friese, 1899), is described from Murici (state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil). This species seems to be restricted to a single patch of Atlantic Forest at the 'Estacao Ecológica de Murici'. Although this preserve is supposedly protected by law, the small area (less than 3,000 ha) where this bee occurs is entirely surrounded by pastures and sugar cane plantations, and anthropic pressure isstrikingly high in the region. Several other endemic animal and plant species are known from the same area. Eulaema felipei sp. n. is considered as Critically Endangered according to IUCN criteria. An updated identification key for all the species of Eulaema (Apeulaema) Moure, 1950 is also provided.