Can Bergmann’s Rule and the Thermal Melanism Hypothesis explain the variation in colour and size observed in the wild bee Eoanthidium insulare (Apoidea: Megachilidae) across its Palaearctic range?

Abstract

To analyse geographic variation patterns and assess the applicability of biogeographical rules in insects, the West Palaearctic anthidiine bee Eoanthidium insulare serves as an excellent model. This species showcases a highly variable black-and-yellow colour pattern, with a distribution spanning over 4400 km from the Adriatic Sea to the Pamir Mountains and extending over 1660 km in a south-north direction. We examined 214 specimens from all geographic regions of its distribution and identified a significant increase in both body size and the proportion of black in the integument from south to north. This phenomenon may be attributed to a more efficient exploitation of solar energy through a larger integument surface area (Bergmann’s Rule) and enhanced heat retention due to lower skin reflectance (Thermal Melanism Hypothesis). These two processes, therefore, complement each other. However, despite the cooler climates at higher altitudes, we found no correlations between body size and altitude. Furthermore, while we observed an increase in the proportion of black in the integument from east to west, there was no significant increase in body size. Notably, no correlation between body size and body colouration was identified, suggesting that size and colour adaptation are independent processes. Given that the various colour and size patterns were identified as clinal rather than discontinuous, and the intraspecific genetic distance across the distribution area was remarkably low (0.00138), featuring only four distinct haplotypes of the mitochondrial COI region DNA sequence, we suggest that the subspecies E. i. persicolum and E. i. lemesium be regarded as synonymous with the nominate subspecies (syn. nov.). These findings suggest that, although Bergmann’s Rule and the Thermal Melanism Hypothesis can account for certain aspects of geographic variation in the body size and colouration of E. insulare, their effects may be influenced or superimposed by factors such as genetic constitution.