Updated list of bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from the Spanish Pyrenees with notes on their decline and conservation status

Abstract

The Pyrenees, where Euro-Siberian, Mediterranean and alpine faunas join together, have a large biodiversity of bumblebees. We compiled historical literature records of bumblebee species from the Spanish Pyrenees, and then compared these to contemporary surveys to assess trends in elevational distribution. Twenty-eight species (including thirty-five subspecies) were found in the contemporary survey. Nine species and two subspecies previously present were not detected, some included on the Spanish Red List. With the exception of a few species, a reduction of the altitudinal range and an orophilous tendency was observed at both upper and lower elevational levels, suggesting an upward trend towards betterpreserved high areas. Our results reinforce the need to develop new protection programs and more restrictive conservation measures for bumblebee populations, species and their habitats..