The Australian endemic bee, Pharohylaeus lactiferus (Colletidae: Hylaeinae) is a rare species that requires conservation assessment. Prior to this study, the last published record of this bee species was from 1923 in Queensland, and nothing was known of its biology. Hence, I aimed to locate extant populations, provide biological information and undertake exploratory analyses relevant to its assessment. Pharohylaeus lactiferus was recently rediscovered as a result of extensive sampling of 225 general and 20 targeted sampling sites across New South Wales and Queensland. Collections indicate possible floral and habitat specialisation with specimens only found near Tropical or Sub-Tropical Rainforest and only visiting Stenocarpus sinuatus (Proteaceae) and Brachychiton acerifolius (Malvaceae), to the exclusion of other available floral resources. Three populations were found by sampling bees visiting these plant species along much of the Australian east coast, suggesting population isolation. GIS analyses used to explore habitat destruction in the Wet Tropics and Central Mackay Coast bioregions indicate susceptibility of Queensland rainforests and P. lactiferus populations to bushfires, particularly in the context of a fragmented landscape. Highly fragmented habitat and potential host specialisation might explain the rarity of P. lactiferus. Targeted sampling and demographic analyses are likely required to thoroughly assess the status of this species and others like it.

中文翻译：

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失踪了将近100年：稀有且可能受到威胁的蜜蜂Pharohylaeus lactiferus（膜翅目，Colletidae）

澳大利亚特有的蜜蜂，Pharohylaeus lactiferus（Colletidae：Hylaeinae）是一种稀有物种，需要进行保护评估。在此研究之前，该蜜蜂物种的最新公布记录是1923年在昆士兰州开始的，对其生物学一无所知。因此，我的目标是找到现存的人口，提供生物学信息并进行与其评估有关的探索性分析。由于在新南威尔士州和昆士兰州对225个常规采样点和20个目标采样点进行了广泛采样，最近重新发现了Pharohylaeus lactiferus。收集表明可能有花卉和生境专一性，标本仅在热带或亚热带雨林附近发现，并且仅访问Snocarpus sinuatus（Proteaceae）和Brachychiton acerifolius（Malvaceae），而排除了其他可用的花卉资源。通过对澳大利亚东海岸大部分地区的这些植物物种进行蜜蜂采样，发现了三个种群，这表明种群处于隔离状态。用于探索热带地区和麦凯海岸中部生物区的生境破坏的GIS分析表明，昆士兰州的雨林和P. lactiferus种群易受森林大火的影响，特别是在景观分散的情况下。高度分散的栖息地和潜在的宿主专业化可能解释了P. lactiferus的稀有性。可能需要进行有针对性的采样和人口统计分析，以彻底评估该物种及其他类似物种的状况。用于探索热带地区和麦凯海岸中部生物区的生境破坏的GIS分析表明，昆士兰州的雨林和P. lactiferus种群易受森林大火的影响，特别是在景观分散的情况下。高度分散的栖息地和潜在的宿主专业化可能解释了P. lactiferus的稀有性。可能需要进行有针对性的采样和人口统计分析，以彻底评估该物种及其他类似物种的状况。用于探索热带地区和麦凯海岸中部生物区的生境破坏的GIS分析表明，昆士兰州的雨林和P. lactiferus种群易受森林大火的影响，特别是在景观分散的情况下。高度分散的栖息地和潜在的宿主专业化可能解释了P. lactiferus的稀有性。可能需要进行有针对性的采样和人口统计分析，以彻底评估该物种及其他类似物种的状况。