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Seven microsatellite loci from 176 female specimens of the oligolectic desert bee, Macrotera portalis, were analyzed to detect Population subdivision among eight geographically distinct localities ( 17 to 342 kin apart) across southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. In spite of the absence of obvious geographic barriers to gene flow, genic and genotypic frequencies revealed significant genetic heterogeneity among localities, F statistics revealed a high level of inbreeding within populations (F-is = 0.324 1, P < 0.001). aswell as substantial differentiation among localities (F-st = 0.2037. P < 0.001). A significant correlation A as detected between distance among populations and the level of gene flow Various factors may contribute to the low level of gene flow observed among Populations. including narrow host-plant specificity, specificity in soil composition, habitat specificity. and the existence of large-headed, flightless mates that mate within the nests. Five microsatellites from 192 mate and female Macrotera portalis (Timberlake) reared from nests were analyzed in order to estimate intra-nest relatedness. Relatedness anion., female nestmates A a, significantly greater than zero for two of seven nests. Our results have implications for understanding patterns of bee diversity.