Higher-level bee classifications (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Apidae sensu lato)

Abstract

A higher-level classification of bees, in which the entire group is treated as a single family - the Apidae - is advocated here. A total of seven subfamilies, 51 tribes and 27 subtribes are recognized. These subfamilies correspond to the families adopted in the traditional classification. Although the proposed changes do not involve any major rearrangement, basically only changing the rank given to the main groups, the new system makes the classification of bees more consistent with that adopted for other major groups of aculeate Hymenoptera. It also departs from the 19th century practice, perpetuated in the traditional classification, of giving family-status to the main groups of bees. A correspondence table associating the taxon names used in the current traditional classification with those of the revised classification is presented. Scrapterini new tribe (type-genus Scrapter Lepeletier & Serville) is proposed to accommodate the southern African genus Scrapter.

Survey of the Hymenoptera Fauna in a "Caatinga" Area in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil

“…For Apoidea the nomenclature follows Melo & Gonçalves (2005), with Apidae (sensu lato). Posteriorly, the status of superfamilies and families follow sHarkey (2007), except Apidae (sensu lato).…”

Preliminary results of bowl trapping bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in a southern Brazil forest fragment

“…Species determination was done at the Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná (DZUP). We follow the bee higher classification of Melo & Gonçalves (2005), in which the families in traditional classifications are simply treated as subfamilies, so all bees are considered under Apidae.…”

Abelhas (Hymenoptera, Apidae sensu lato) do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

“…Para Melo & Gonçalves (2005), a diversidade faunística de abelhas está restrita a uma única família (Apidae) e cinco subfamílias ocorrem no Brasil: Andreninae, Apinae, Colletinae, Halictinae e Megachilinae, sendo que abrigam 42 tribos e 219 espécies. O número de gêneros conhecidos no Brasil para cada subfamília de Apidae é: Halictinae (34), Colletinae (30), Andreninae (30), Megachilinae (28) e Apinae 27 (+70), considerando a inclusão de Anthophoridae (Silveira et al, 2006).…”