The mineral, total amino acid, and sterol compositions of pollen collected by Apis mellifera L. w... more The mineral, total amino acid, and sterol compositions of pollen collected by Apis mellifera L. were compared with the pollen of a plant consumed by Bombus terrestris (L.): Arbutus unedo L. This plant provides the predominant food resource for the main autumn generation of B. terrestris in southern France. Honey bees also forage on this plant, although only for nectar. The mineral composition of 30 pollen samples collected by honey bees is close to the presently known requirements of A. mellifera, except for Cu and Mn, which are substantially lower. The total amino acid mean composition of a set of 54 pollen samples fits the basic requirements of honey bees except for valine, isoleucine, and methionine, which are present in lower concentrations in all the samples. For pollen of A. unedo, the amino acid balance is not very different from that of the survey. The main sterolic component in pollen of A. unedo, βsitosterol, is known to have antifeedant effects on A. mellifera. Honey bees cannot dealkylate C 29 sterols like βsitosterol or 85-avenasterol to obtain C 27 cholesterol and ecdysteroids. Because these phytosterols as well as cholesterol are nearly absent from pollen of A. unedo, the metabolic capabilities of Apis seem unadapted to this plant. On the contrary, pollen of A. unedo is freely consumed by B. terrestris, which develops huge autumn populations solely on this food. These data indicate that the sterolic metabolisms of B. terrestris and A. mellifera differ, allowing separation in foraging activity.
Whilst the Arctic and boreal bumblebee fauna is increasingly studied worldwide, information is mi... more Whilst the Arctic and boreal bumblebee fauna is increasingly studied worldwide, information is missing about the genetic connections between circum-boreal populations of some widespread species, especially those living in remote regions like North-East Siberia and Alaska. Here, we study one of the most common boreal bumblebee species, Bombus (Pyrobombus) jonellus (Kirby, 1802), as a model to investigate current circum-boreal genetic connections and relations with relictual populations in its post-glacial refugia in Southern Europe. Our haplotype network analysis based on a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene reveals two main conspecific lineages, one in Europe including the Southern relictual populations from the Pyrenees and the second comprising Eastern Palearctic and Nearctic populations. However, West-Siberian populations of Bombus jonellus share haplotypes with the two distinct lineages. These results could indicate a postglacial, multidirectional and circum-boreal recolonization both in Europe and East-Palearctic from refugia in Siberia, in addition to other recolonization ways from Southern European refugia and Beringia. These findings highlight that a priori distant and isolated conspecific populations of B. jonellus could presently remain connected or have only presented a recent break in gene flow.
Annales De La Societe Entomologique De France, Jul 3, 2020
Accepté le 7 juillet 2020; publié en ligne le 23 septembre 2020) Summary. Lebanon has a rich but ... more Accepté le 7 juillet 2020; publié en ligne le 23 septembre 2020) Summary. Lebanon has a rich but chronically understudied bee fauna. As part of ongoing efforts to better understand bee diversity in Lebanon we present a critical revision of the speciose genus Andrena based primarily on the examination of specimens collected from contemporary surveys, as well as previously undetermined material from museum collections. Andrena (Aciandrena) abruptifovea n. sp. from Lebanon, A. (incertae sedis) cedricola n. sp. from Lebanon and Syria, A. (Euandrena) scrophulariae n. sp. from Lebanon, and A. (incertae sedis) prodigiosa n. sp., from Lebanon, are described. A. (Chlorandrena) edentula n. sp. and A. (Rufandrena) parvispinae n. sp., both from northwestern Syria, are described due to their proximity to northern Lebanon. The previously unknown male of A. (Pallandrena) christineae Dubitzky, 2006 is also described. A. (Poliandrena) unifasciata Friese, 1899 stat. rev. which was described from Lebanon is removed from synonymy with A. (Poliandrena) caspica Morawitz, 1886, and the relationship between these two taxa and A. (Poliandrena) unicincta Friese, 1899 is clarified. Altogether, these changes increase the number of Andrena species known from Lebanon to 86, including species known previously only from Turkey or Israel. In total, 25 and 23 species are also reported as newly recorded for Jordan and Syria, respectively. Based on the diversity of Andrena in neighbouring countries in the Levant, it is probable that the true number of Andrena species in Lebanon is well over 100. Résumé. Révision des Andrena (Hymenoptera : Andrenidae) du Liban, avec la description de six espèces nouvelles. Le Liban a une riche faune d'abeilles trop peu étudiée de manière chronique. Comme contribution à l'effort actuel pour mieux comprendre la diversité des abeilles du Liban, nous présentons ici une révision critique du genre Andrena, connu pour être riche en espèce. Cette révision est basée sur l'examen de spécimens collectés durant des recherches récentes, ainsi que de matériel indéterminé de collections de musées. Les espèces nouvelles suivantes sont décrites du Liban : Andrena (Aciandrena) abruptifovea n. sp. (Liban), A. (incertae sedis) cedricola n. sp. (Liban et Syrie), A. (Euandrena) scrophulariae n. sp. (Liban), and A. (incertae sedis) prodigiosa n. sp. (Liban). Les espèces suivantes sont décrites du nord-ouest de la Syrie, à proximité du Liban : A. (Chlorandrena) edentula n. sp. et A. (Rufandrena) parvispinae n. sp. Le mâle encore inconnu d'A. (Pallandrena) christineae Dubitzky, 2006, est aussi décrit. A. (Poliandrena) unifasciata Friese, 1899 stat. rev., décrit du Liban, est retiré de la synonymie d'A. (Poliandrena) caspica Morawitz, 1886, tandis que les relations entre ces deux derniers taxons et A. (Poliandrena) unicincta Friese, 1899, sont clarifiées. Tout compté, ces changements augmentent le nombre d'espèces d'Andrena connues du Liban à 86, y compris des espèces qui auparavant n'étaient connues que de Turquie et Israël. Au total, 25 et 23 espèces sont aussi comptées pour la première fois de Jordanie et de Syrie, respectivement. En se basant sur la diversité des Andrena dans les autres pays du Levant, il est probable que le nombre total d'espèces du Liban excède 100.
The international trade fosters non-native taxon invasions Several commonly traded species are ta... more The international trade fosters non-native taxon invasions Several commonly traded species are taxon complexes Preserving endemic taxa and differentiated populations require trade regulation Such regulations need a resolved taxonomy and population structure Integrative taxonomy provides guidelines for regulation of population importations
Aim: Wild bees still face striking shortfalls in knowledge of biodiversity in key regions of the ... more Aim: Wild bees still face striking shortfalls in knowledge of biodiversity in key regions of the world. This includes Europe, where despite a long tradition of data gathering, the continental scale distribution patterns of wild bees have not been systematically analysed to date. This study aims to characterise large-scale biodiversity patterns to: (i) understand spatial-temporal heterogeneity in large-scale databases, (ii) locate genuine diversity hotspots and their relationship with biogeographical patterns or habitats of interests and (iii) identify understudied species and areas to further design conservation actions for most at risk species in key regions. Location: Europe. Taxon: Bees. Methods: We present a continental and standardised study of bee taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity patterns in Europe, using a large compilation of occurrence records of nearly three million validated occurrence records for 1515 wild bee species. Results: Southern and eastern Europe suffer from the largest gaps in data availability while northern and western regions benefit from better historical coverage. Our models show that higher wild bee diversity in Europe is hosted in xeric, warm areas, as highlighted by a clear latitudinal gradient. However, phylogenetic diversity is predicted to be more homogenous across Europe than taxonomic diversity, suggesting that policies and strategies targeted to protect species richness may differ from those targeting greater phylogenetic diversity.
S2 Table. Key bee species identified by comparing their cz-coefficients with thresholds correspon... more S2 Table. Key bee species identified by comparing their cz-coefficients with thresholds corresponding to the 90% quantiles of cz-coefficients of null models. Module hubs has higher zvalues and lower c, connectors has higher c-values but lower z and network hubs has both higher c and z. α = species that disappeared from the network after 1990; β = species that became peripheral after 1990; γ = peripheral species that became key species after 1990; δ = species that appeared in the network after 1990 as a key species; underlined = species that had a key role during both periods; in bold = species that kept their key role when we used the 95% quantiles of cz-coefficients of null models). Plant species with which they interacted the most before 1970 and after 1990 were the 10 species that have the maximum degree of interaction with key species. 1930-1969 1990-2009 Module hubs Andrena bicolor β , A. cineraria α , A. coitana α , A. flavipes, A. haemorrhoa, A. labiata α , Andrena lathyri α , A. minutula α , A. sabulosa β , Eucera longicornis β , Halictus rubicundus β , H. tumulorum, Lasioglossum calceatum and Osmia rufohirta α Bombus lucorum δ , B. pascuorum, B. terrestris γ , Lasioglossum fulvicorne γ , L. pauxillum γ Network hubs Andrena flavipes, A. haemorrhoa**, Lasioglossum morio γ Connectors Andrena proxima α, Bombus pascuorum and Osmia bicornis β Ceratina cyanea γ , Chelostoma rapunculi γ , Halictus tumulorum, Lasioglossum calceatum, L. pallens δ Plant species (degree) Salix caprea (5), Tussilago farfara (5), Glechoma hederacea (4), Prunus spinosa (4), Bryonia dioica (3), Heracleum sphondylium (3), Hypochaeris radicata (3), Lotus corniculatus (3), Prunus cerasus (3) and Ranunculus acris (3) Centaurea jacea (6), Echium vulgare (6), Origanum vulgare (6), Potentilla neumanniana (6), Ranunculus bulbosus (6), Thymus pulegioides (6), Cirsium arvense (5), Eupatorium cannabinum (5), Knautia arvensis (5) and Picris hieracioides (5) **Considered as a module hub between 1990 and 2009 if we consider the 95% quantiles of cz-coefficients of null models.
In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture and urbanization has been followed by an ov... more In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture and urbanization has been followed by an overall loss of biodiversity in the Belgian countryside [1]. Such landscape disturbances led to an overall reduction of floral resources availability at a country-wide scale [2]. The wild bee decline was highlighted in the 1980s in Belgium [3]. Because flowers are key resources for bees, the wild bee decline is likely to be partly caused by a loss of their plant resource diversity. We tested here if there is a link between plant resource dynamics and the status of bees (declining vs stable bee species).
In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture and urbanization has been accompanied by an... more In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture and urbanization has been accompanied by an overall loss of biodiversity in the Belgian countryside [1]. Such landscape disturbances led to an overall reduction of floral resources availability at a country-wide scale. The wild bee decline was highlighted in the 1980s in the country [2]. Because flowers are key resources for bees, the wild bee decline is likely to be caused by plant diversity loss.
The mineral, total amino acid, and sterol compositions of pollen collected by Apis mellifera L. w... more The mineral, total amino acid, and sterol compositions of pollen collected by Apis mellifera L. were compared with the pollen of a plant consumed by Bombus terrestris (L.): Arbutus unedo L. This plant provides the predominant food resource for the main autumn generation of B. terrestris in southern France. Honey bees also forage on this plant, although only for nectar. The mineral composition of 30 pollen samples collected by honey bees is close to the presently known requirements of A. mellifera, except for Cu and Mn, which are substantially lower. The total amino acid mean composition of a set of 54 pollen samples fits the basic requirements of honey bees except for valine, isoleucine, and methionine, which are present in lower concentrations in all the samples. For pollen of A. unedo, the amino acid balance is not very different from that of the survey. The main sterolic component in pollen of A. unedo, βsitosterol, is known to have antifeedant effects on A. mellifera. Honey bees cannot dealkylate C 29 sterols like βsitosterol or 85-avenasterol to obtain C 27 cholesterol and ecdysteroids. Because these phytosterols as well as cholesterol are nearly absent from pollen of A. unedo, the metabolic capabilities of Apis seem unadapted to this plant. On the contrary, pollen of A. unedo is freely consumed by B. terrestris, which develops huge autumn populations solely on this food. These data indicate that the sterolic metabolisms of B. terrestris and A. mellifera differ, allowing separation in foraging activity.
Whilst the Arctic and boreal bumblebee fauna is increasingly studied worldwide, information is mi... more Whilst the Arctic and boreal bumblebee fauna is increasingly studied worldwide, information is missing about the genetic connections between circum-boreal populations of some widespread species, especially those living in remote regions like North-East Siberia and Alaska. Here, we study one of the most common boreal bumblebee species, Bombus (Pyrobombus) jonellus (Kirby, 1802), as a model to investigate current circum-boreal genetic connections and relations with relictual populations in its post-glacial refugia in Southern Europe. Our haplotype network analysis based on a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene reveals two main conspecific lineages, one in Europe including the Southern relictual populations from the Pyrenees and the second comprising Eastern Palearctic and Nearctic populations. However, West-Siberian populations of Bombus jonellus share haplotypes with the two distinct lineages. These results could indicate a postglacial, multidirectional and circum-boreal recolonization both in Europe and East-Palearctic from refugia in Siberia, in addition to other recolonization ways from Southern European refugia and Beringia. These findings highlight that a priori distant and isolated conspecific populations of B. jonellus could presently remain connected or have only presented a recent break in gene flow.
Annales De La Societe Entomologique De France, Jul 3, 2020
Accepté le 7 juillet 2020; publié en ligne le 23 septembre 2020) Summary. Lebanon has a rich but ... more Accepté le 7 juillet 2020; publié en ligne le 23 septembre 2020) Summary. Lebanon has a rich but chronically understudied bee fauna. As part of ongoing efforts to better understand bee diversity in Lebanon we present a critical revision of the speciose genus Andrena based primarily on the examination of specimens collected from contemporary surveys, as well as previously undetermined material from museum collections. Andrena (Aciandrena) abruptifovea n. sp. from Lebanon, A. (incertae sedis) cedricola n. sp. from Lebanon and Syria, A. (Euandrena) scrophulariae n. sp. from Lebanon, and A. (incertae sedis) prodigiosa n. sp., from Lebanon, are described. A. (Chlorandrena) edentula n. sp. and A. (Rufandrena) parvispinae n. sp., both from northwestern Syria, are described due to their proximity to northern Lebanon. The previously unknown male of A. (Pallandrena) christineae Dubitzky, 2006 is also described. A. (Poliandrena) unifasciata Friese, 1899 stat. rev. which was described from Lebanon is removed from synonymy with A. (Poliandrena) caspica Morawitz, 1886, and the relationship between these two taxa and A. (Poliandrena) unicincta Friese, 1899 is clarified. Altogether, these changes increase the number of Andrena species known from Lebanon to 86, including species known previously only from Turkey or Israel. In total, 25 and 23 species are also reported as newly recorded for Jordan and Syria, respectively. Based on the diversity of Andrena in neighbouring countries in the Levant, it is probable that the true number of Andrena species in Lebanon is well over 100. Résumé. Révision des Andrena (Hymenoptera : Andrenidae) du Liban, avec la description de six espèces nouvelles. Le Liban a une riche faune d'abeilles trop peu étudiée de manière chronique. Comme contribution à l'effort actuel pour mieux comprendre la diversité des abeilles du Liban, nous présentons ici une révision critique du genre Andrena, connu pour être riche en espèce. Cette révision est basée sur l'examen de spécimens collectés durant des recherches récentes, ainsi que de matériel indéterminé de collections de musées. Les espèces nouvelles suivantes sont décrites du Liban : Andrena (Aciandrena) abruptifovea n. sp. (Liban), A. (incertae sedis) cedricola n. sp. (Liban et Syrie), A. (Euandrena) scrophulariae n. sp. (Liban), and A. (incertae sedis) prodigiosa n. sp. (Liban). Les espèces suivantes sont décrites du nord-ouest de la Syrie, à proximité du Liban : A. (Chlorandrena) edentula n. sp. et A. (Rufandrena) parvispinae n. sp. Le mâle encore inconnu d'A. (Pallandrena) christineae Dubitzky, 2006, est aussi décrit. A. (Poliandrena) unifasciata Friese, 1899 stat. rev., décrit du Liban, est retiré de la synonymie d'A. (Poliandrena) caspica Morawitz, 1886, tandis que les relations entre ces deux derniers taxons et A. (Poliandrena) unicincta Friese, 1899, sont clarifiées. Tout compté, ces changements augmentent le nombre d'espèces d'Andrena connues du Liban à 86, y compris des espèces qui auparavant n'étaient connues que de Turquie et Israël. Au total, 25 et 23 espèces sont aussi comptées pour la première fois de Jordanie et de Syrie, respectivement. En se basant sur la diversité des Andrena dans les autres pays du Levant, il est probable que le nombre total d'espèces du Liban excède 100.
The international trade fosters non-native taxon invasions Several commonly traded species are ta... more The international trade fosters non-native taxon invasions Several commonly traded species are taxon complexes Preserving endemic taxa and differentiated populations require trade regulation Such regulations need a resolved taxonomy and population structure Integrative taxonomy provides guidelines for regulation of population importations
Aim: Wild bees still face striking shortfalls in knowledge of biodiversity in key regions of the ... more Aim: Wild bees still face striking shortfalls in knowledge of biodiversity in key regions of the world. This includes Europe, where despite a long tradition of data gathering, the continental scale distribution patterns of wild bees have not been systematically analysed to date. This study aims to characterise large-scale biodiversity patterns to: (i) understand spatial-temporal heterogeneity in large-scale databases, (ii) locate genuine diversity hotspots and their relationship with biogeographical patterns or habitats of interests and (iii) identify understudied species and areas to further design conservation actions for most at risk species in key regions. Location: Europe. Taxon: Bees. Methods: We present a continental and standardised study of bee taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity patterns in Europe, using a large compilation of occurrence records of nearly three million validated occurrence records for 1515 wild bee species. Results: Southern and eastern Europe suffer from the largest gaps in data availability while northern and western regions benefit from better historical coverage. Our models show that higher wild bee diversity in Europe is hosted in xeric, warm areas, as highlighted by a clear latitudinal gradient. However, phylogenetic diversity is predicted to be more homogenous across Europe than taxonomic diversity, suggesting that policies and strategies targeted to protect species richness may differ from those targeting greater phylogenetic diversity.
S2 Table. Key bee species identified by comparing their cz-coefficients with thresholds correspon... more S2 Table. Key bee species identified by comparing their cz-coefficients with thresholds corresponding to the 90% quantiles of cz-coefficients of null models. Module hubs has higher zvalues and lower c, connectors has higher c-values but lower z and network hubs has both higher c and z. α = species that disappeared from the network after 1990; β = species that became peripheral after 1990; γ = peripheral species that became key species after 1990; δ = species that appeared in the network after 1990 as a key species; underlined = species that had a key role during both periods; in bold = species that kept their key role when we used the 95% quantiles of cz-coefficients of null models). Plant species with which they interacted the most before 1970 and after 1990 were the 10 species that have the maximum degree of interaction with key species. 1930-1969 1990-2009 Module hubs Andrena bicolor β , A. cineraria α , A. coitana α , A. flavipes, A. haemorrhoa, A. labiata α , Andrena lathyri α , A. minutula α , A. sabulosa β , Eucera longicornis β , Halictus rubicundus β , H. tumulorum, Lasioglossum calceatum and Osmia rufohirta α Bombus lucorum δ , B. pascuorum, B. terrestris γ , Lasioglossum fulvicorne γ , L. pauxillum γ Network hubs Andrena flavipes, A. haemorrhoa**, Lasioglossum morio γ Connectors Andrena proxima α, Bombus pascuorum and Osmia bicornis β Ceratina cyanea γ , Chelostoma rapunculi γ , Halictus tumulorum, Lasioglossum calceatum, L. pallens δ Plant species (degree) Salix caprea (5), Tussilago farfara (5), Glechoma hederacea (4), Prunus spinosa (4), Bryonia dioica (3), Heracleum sphondylium (3), Hypochaeris radicata (3), Lotus corniculatus (3), Prunus cerasus (3) and Ranunculus acris (3) Centaurea jacea (6), Echium vulgare (6), Origanum vulgare (6), Potentilla neumanniana (6), Ranunculus bulbosus (6), Thymus pulegioides (6), Cirsium arvense (5), Eupatorium cannabinum (5), Knautia arvensis (5) and Picris hieracioides (5) **Considered as a module hub between 1990 and 2009 if we consider the 95% quantiles of cz-coefficients of null models.
In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture and urbanization has been followed by an ov... more In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture and urbanization has been followed by an overall loss of biodiversity in the Belgian countryside [1]. Such landscape disturbances led to an overall reduction of floral resources availability at a country-wide scale [2]. The wild bee decline was highlighted in the 1980s in Belgium [3]. Because flowers are key resources for bees, the wild bee decline is likely to be partly caused by a loss of their plant resource diversity. We tested here if there is a link between plant resource dynamics and the status of bees (declining vs stable bee species).
In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture and urbanization has been accompanied by an... more In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture and urbanization has been accompanied by an overall loss of biodiversity in the Belgian countryside [1]. Such landscape disturbances led to an overall reduction of floral resources availability at a country-wide scale. The wild bee decline was highlighted in the 1980s in the country [2]. Because flowers are key resources for bees, the wild bee decline is likely to be caused by plant diversity loss.
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