The distribution of cryptic species of the Bombus lucorum-complex in the north-east of Northern European Russia and the Polar Urals

In this study, we present the distribution of cryptic species of the Bombus lucorum-complex (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the north-east of Northern European Russia and the Polar Urals, one of the most inaccessible regions of Europe. We used the PCR-RFLP approach which allows accurate identification of these cryptic species. Among the species of this complex only two species, B. cryptarum and B. lucorum were found in the studied region. It is likely that B. cryptarum is widely distributed in the north-east of Northern European Russia, while B. lucorum is restricted to the southern part of this region. Cryptic species of the Bombus lucorum-complex are not known from any of the island territories (Kolguev and Vaygach Islands, the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago) where long-term studies were conducted.