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Cornalba M, Quaranta M, Selis M, Flaminio S, Gamba S, Mei M, Bonifacino M, Cappellari A, Catania R, Niolu P, Tempesti S, Biella P. Exploring the hidden riches: Recent remarkable faunistic records and range extensions in the bee fauna of Italy (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Anthophila). Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e116014. [PMID: 38405380 PMCID: PMC10892157 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e116014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Cornalba
- Department of Mathematics, University of Pavia, Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Mathematics, University of PaviaPaviaItaly
| | - Marino Quaranta
- Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente, (CREA) Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’analisi dell’Economia Agraria, Bologna, ItalyCentro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente, (CREA) Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’analisi dell’Economia AgrariaBolognaItaly
| | - Marco Selis
- Via dei Tarquini, Viterbo, ItalyVia dei TarquiniViterboItaly
| | - Simone Flaminio
- Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente, (CREA) Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’analisi dell’Economia Agraria, Bologna, ItalyCentro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente, (CREA) Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’analisi dell’Economia AgrariaBolognaItaly
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Monsa, BelgiumLaboratory of Zoology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of MonsMonsaBelgium
| | - Sirio Gamba
- Strada Sanferian, San Biagio della Cima (Imperia), ItalyStrada SanferianSan Biagio della Cima (Imperia)Italy
| | - Maurizio Mei
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Marco Bonifacino
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of FlorenceSesto FiorentinoItaly
| | - Andree Cappellari
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Padova, ItalyDepartment of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Roberto Catania
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), sec. Applied Entomology, Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), sec. Applied EntomologyCataniaItaly
| | - Pietro Niolu
- Via Sassari, Alghero, ItalyVia SassariAlgheroItaly
| | - Stefano Tempesti
- Via Vincenzo Bellini, Santa Sofia (Forlì-Cesena), ItalyVia Vincenzo BelliniSanta Sofia (Forlì-Cesena)Italy
| | - Paolo Biella
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-BicoccaMilanoItaly
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Tommasi N, Biella P, Maggioni D, Fallati L, Agostinetto G, Labra M, Galli P, Galimberti A. DNA metabarcoding unveils the effects of habitat fragmentation on pollinator diversity, plant-pollinator interactions, and pollination efficiency in Maldive islands. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:6394-6404. [PMID: 35651283 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation affects biodiversity, but with unclear effects on pollinators and their interactions with plants in anthropized landscapes. Islands could serve as open air laboratories, suitable to disentangle how land-use alteration impacts pollination ecology. In Maldive islands we investigated how pollinator richness, plant-pollinator interactions and pollination efficiency are influenced by the green area fragmentation (i.e., gardens and semi-natural patches). Moreover, we considered the mediating role of pollinator body size and the plant trait of being invasive in shaping interactions. To do this, we surveyed pollinator insects from 11 islands representing a gradient of green area fragmentation. A DNA metabarcoding approach was adopted to identify the pollen transported by pollinators and characterize the plant-pollinator interactions. We found that intermediate levels of green area fragmentation characterized pollinator communities and increased their species richness, while decreasing interaction network complexity. Invasive plants were more frequently found on pollinator bodies than native or exotic noninvasive ones, indicating a concerningly higher potential for pollen dispersal and reproduction of the former ones. Intriguingly, pollinator body size mediated the effect of landscape alteration on interactions, as only the largest bees expanded the foraging diet in terms of plant richness in the transported pollen at increasing fragmentation. In parallel, the pollination efficiency increased with pollinator species richness in two sentinel plants. This study shows that moderate landscape fragmentation of green areas shapes many aspects of the pollination ecosystem service, where despite interactions being less complex and mediated by pollinator body size, pollinator insect biodiversity and potential plant reproduction are supported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Tommasi
- ZooplantLab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- INFN Sezione Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Biella
- ZooplantLab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Maggioni
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo, Maldives
| | - Luca Fallati
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo, Maldives
| | - Giulia Agostinetto
- ZooplantLab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Labra
- ZooplantLab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- INFN Sezione Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Galli
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo, Maldives
| | - Andrea Galimberti
- ZooplantLab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- INFN Sezione Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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