DNA barcode confirms the distribution of bombus magnus (Vogt, 1911) (hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Iberian peninsula

Abstract

Bombus magnus (Vogt, 1911) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is one of the three cryptic species belonging to the lucorum complex besides B. lucorum (Linnaeus, 1761) and B. cryptarum (Fabricius, 1775). In the Iberian Peninsula, only B. lucorum and B. magnus are present but the presence of this last species south of the Pyrenees has not yet been confirmed. Given their morphological similarity, we used the DNA barcode region for the identification of 113 individuals of this species complex in an Iberian sampling. Results confirm the presence of B. magnus in the Pyrenees and extend its current distribution to the Northern Iberian Plateau. Given these results, we suggest that the distribution and conservation status of this species in the Iberian Peninsula should be revised.