From Mountains to Molecules: Decoding the Hidden Diversity of Andrena Bees in the Himalayan Wilderness

Abstract Four species of the genus Andrena: Andrena (Euandrena) bicolor, Andrena (Melandrena) cineraria, Andrena (Plastandrena) pilipes, and Andrena (Zonandrena) flavipes were reported for the first time from Jammu & Kashmir, India. Specimens were collected from Srinagar, Pulwama, and Budgam districts and analyzed using 23 morphological characters. In addition, 658 bp COI DNA barcodes were generated and deposited in GenBank, providing reliable molecular markers for species identification. Integration of morphological and molecular datasets revealed distinct diagnostic traits and intraspecific variations, indicating evolutionary divergence likely shaped by geographic isolation and ecological pressures in the Himalayan region. This study emphasizes the role of integrative taxonomy in accurate species delimitation and contributes to the understanding of pollinator diversity and conservation in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.