The genus Eulaema as well as the other genera of Euglossini is particularly known for its interactions with orchids. It occurs exclusively in the Neotropics, and is composed of 26 species of large (20-30 mm), hairy, and long-tongued bees. In contrast to other Euglossini, these bees do not exhibit a metallic shine on the head and thorax. Four hypothesis of phylogenies for the genera of Euglossini have been proposed, and the monophyly of the genus Eulaema have not been corroborated. In this study, the following apomorphies support the monophyly of the genus Eulaema: 1) genal projection; 2) clypeus projected and with strong lateral ramps; 3) mesoscutal line salient and 4) tergum I with 1/3 of the tergum II length. Eufriesea Cockerell, 1908 is the most likely candidate for sister-group ofEulaema, with the following sinapomorphies supporting this clade: 1) male hindtibia with a pointed apical margin; 2) external surface of the male hindtibia with few hairs; 3) fifth hindtarsus smaller than the fifth midtarsus; 4) spurs of the hindlegs approximately equal-sized and 5) gonocoxite with a ventrolateral projection. According to the hypothesis presented here, Eulaema is composed of two main clades that correspond to the subgenera Eulaema s. str. and Apeulaema, proposed by Moure (1950).
Euglossini; Eulaema; orchid-bees; phylogeny; taxonomy
