New Regional Species Records for the Moroccan Bee Fauna (Hymenoptera, Apoidea), with a Special Focus on the Marrakesh-Safi Region

Although Morocco is a biodiversity hotspot for wild bees, much of its bee fauna remains underexplored. This study aims to enhance knowledge on the regional diversity of Moroccan bees by monitoring wild bee species across nine regions during the 2022-2024 period. A total of 245 bee species-representing 34 genera and 6 families-are documented, accounting for ~25% of the country's bee species, including 74 species newly recorded at the regional level. We recorded 42 species as new for the Marrakech-Safi region, bringing the total to 597 species and confirming this region as a biodiversity hotspot. New records were also observed in the southern and desert regions, such as Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra and Guelmim-Oued Noun (12 species for each), as well as Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab (7 species), highlighting the need for further exploration in these under-sampled areas. The genera <i>Andrena</i>, <i>Lasioglossum</i>, and <i>Eucera</i> were the most diverse, collectively representing 61% of the newly recorded species documented in this study. This research provides valuable insights into the diversity and distribution of Morocco's bee fauna and calls for standardized monitoring, conservation efforts, and expanded research-particularly in underexplored areas such as the southern regions-to preserve Morocco's vital bee populations and ensure the sustainability of its agroecosystems.