Exploring the hidden riches: Recent remarkable faunistic records and range extensions in the bee fauna of Italy (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Anthophila)

Abstract

Background: The area sourrounding the Mediterranean basin is recognised as a major biodiversity hotspot for bees, and Italy is amongst the European countries with the highest bee species richness. Detailed knowledge of bee distribution is crucial for understanding bee biology and designing tailored conservation strategies, but is still insufficient in southern European countries, especially in Italy.

New information: We report recent finds of 48 bee species that yield significant novelties for the Italian bee fauna. Eight species, namely Andrenaconfinis Stöckhert, Anthidiellumbreviusculum Pérez, Coelioxysalatus Foerster, Lasioglossumalgericolellum Strand, Megachilelapponica Thomson, Megachileopacifrons Pérez, Megachilesemicircularis auct. nec Zanden and Trachusaintegra Eversmann are reported as new for Italy. In addition, Andrenabinominata Smith, Andrenacompta Lepeletier, Colletesacutus Pérez, Lasioglossumstrictifrons Vachal, Rhodanthidiumsiculum Spinola and Rhodanthidiumsticticum Fabricius are newly recorded from mainland Italy, Osmiaheteracantha Pérez from Sardegna and Nomadaflavopicta Kirby from Sicilia. We also report significant range extensions for other bee species and recent records of species that had long gone unrecorded in Italy. The combination of morphology and DNA barcoding provided reliable identifications even for the most challenging specimens. As several of our records come from areas neglected by bee experts in the past, this study stands out as a key indicator of a bee faunistic richness still awaiting discovery and hopefully it will stimulate the interest of taxonomists and stakeholders in pursuing bee research in Italy in the near future.

Keywords: DNA barcoding; Hymenoptera; biodiversity of Italian Peninsula; lack of taxonomists; rare species of bees; sampling in neglected areas; species distribution.