Materials on the fauna of bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus) of Penza Region

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Abstract

Background. The study of the bumblebee fauna in Penza region can inform the development of regional policies for sustainable environmental management, including biodiversity conservation. The purpose of the study is to compile an annotated inventory of bumblebee collections from Penza region and analyze their species richness and distribution. Materials and methods. The collection of the Department of Zoology and Ecology includes bumblebees gathered by teachers, staff, and students of Pedagogical Institute during field practices and expeditions, as well as by employees of the “Privolzhskaya Lesostep” Nature Reserve and schoolchildren. Specimens were collected at 174 locations across Penza region. 2357 bumblebee specimens were processed. The collection material is documented in an annotated list specifying: geographic collection site, number of specimens (♀ and ♂), biotope, and collection date. Results. 34 bumblebee species from 11 subgenera were recorded. The subgenera with the highest species richness were Thoracobombus (10), Psithyrus (8), Bombus (3), and Subterraneobombus (3). The remaining subgenera comprised 1-2 species each. Dominant, widespread, and rare species were identified. DNA barcoding enabled the identification of B. cryptarum from the Bombus lucorum complex, a species not previously reported in adjacent territories. The highly variable species B. humilis and cuckoo bumblebees of the subgenus Bombus (Psithyrus) were analyzed in detail. Conclusions. An annotated checklist of bumblebees of Penza region has been compiled. Analysis of literature data on the local bumblebee fauna suggests that the collection is incomplete. Specimens of B. deuteronymus and B. jonellus, previously reported in publications, are absent from our collection. The species composition of bumblebees in the region is close to the fauna of the adjacent Ulyanovsk Region.

About the authors

Tamara G. Stojko

Penza State University

Author for correspondence.
Email: tgstojko@mail.ru

Candidate of biological sciences, associate professor of the sub-department of zoology and ecology

(40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia)

Oleg A. Polumordvinov

Penza State University

Email: entomol-penza@yandex.ru

Senior laboratory assistant of the sub-department of zoology and ecology

(40 Krasnaya street, Penza, Russia)

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