A rapid morphological approach to solve the systematic of the stingless bee genus Tetragona (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)

A phylogenetic analysis is proposed for Tetragona Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 so that the subgenera are recognized: T. (Tetragona), T. (Zilsemelia) n. subgenus, and T. (Oliveirapis) n. subgenus. This analysis is based on morphological characters and is proposed to corroborate the subgeneric classification. A single more parsimonious cladogram was generated (L = 42; Ci = 78; Ri = 86) that recovered T. (Zilsemelia) n. subgenus as a sister group to T. (Tetragona) having two synapomorphic characters as shape of the distal margin of S6, which can be in a projected arch, with or without a small median sinuosity, in a projected arch, with a wide median recess approximately in the shape of an inverted V or U or in a straight shape or in a slightly recurved arc; the shape of the apical margin of the gonocoxites of the male genitalia, which may be rounded, subtruncated or truncated-straight. Furthermore, Camargoia Moure, 1989 is more closely related to Tetragona than with Ptilotrigona Moure 1951. Diagnosis is proposed for the new subgenera, as well as an identification key for all subgenera of Tetragona.