Lankesteriana: International Journal on Orchidology

Additions to orchid flora of Bhutan III: Paphiopedilum × pradhanii

2023-10-09T15:12:43-06:00

Paphiopedilum × pradhanii, a natural hybrid between P. fairrieanum (subgenus Paphiopedilum, section Ceratopetalum) and P. venustum (subgenus Paphiopedilum, section Barbata), is reported for the first time from Bhutan. Detailed geographical distribution, ecology, and conservation status, and dichotomous keys to all Paphiopedilum species found in Bhutan are provided. A brief description of the parents of this hybrid is also provided.

The fragrant orchid Vanilla chamissonis: an appraisal of the genetic structure of wild populations from Osununú Natural Reserve (Misiones, Argentina)

2023-09-11T11:39:53-06:00

Due to diverse factors the commercial crops of vanilla are highly vulnerable to genetic erosion. The species Vanilla chamissonis Klotzsch has been shown to produce interesting bioeconomic compounds that could diversify the market. In Argentina, the distribution of this fragrant orchid is restricted to specific north-eastern regions, like the Osununú Natural Reserve (at San Ignacio, Misiones), where it grows wildly in sectors (nuclei). This germplasm represents a locally adapted endemism, and thus is a valuable resource worth preserving. Herein, the genetic characterization of unexplored V. chamissonis´ germplasm was accomplished; as well, the specimens´ molecular identification was assessed in a phylogenetic context using nuclear and chloroplastidial markers. The genotyping exposed that, at least, four gene pools contribute to the genetic diversity of these plants, and that ca. 81% of total genetic variation is allocated within populations. Present results suggest a predominance of sexual reproduction, that population N1 emerges as a candidate unit worth conserving, and that a genetic discontinuity was evidenced between northeastern and southwestern nuclei due to their different genetic constitutions. In concurrence, a tenuous isolation by distance was also unveiled. Our phylogenetic results suggest that it is appropriate to consider the vanilla germplasm surveyed as V. chamissonis. The basic knowledge generated in this work will aid in guiding the in-situ conservation and management initiative, ongoing at the Osununú´s reserve.

Floral visitors of three species of Corallorhiza in Monte Tláloc, Texcoco, Estado De México, Mexico

2023-11-16T13:17:46-06:00

Corallorhiza is a genus of mycoheterotrophic orchids that includes 12 species, most of them restricted to North and Central America. In Mexico, there are seven taxa, distributed throughout the country, except for seven of the 32 Mexican states; in Estado de México all of them are present. The Orchidaceae is known for its diversity of pollination syndromes; however, for the more than 200 species of mycoheterotrophic orchids, little has been studied about their floral visitors and pollinators, and for the Mexican species of Corallorhiza nothing is known to date. Our goal was to document photographically and identify all the floral visitors of three sympatric species of the genus in Monte Tláloc, municipality of Texcoco, Estado de México. We observed individuals of Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera visiting flowers of Corallorhiza macrantha, C. macrantha × C. maculata, C. maculata, and C. striata. Only Ocyptamus coeruleus and Platycheirus sp. (Diptera: Syrphidae) were found carrying pollinaria on their thorax. These are the first records of potential pollinators for the genus Corallorhiza in Mexico.

A A new species of Catasetum (Cymbidieae: Catasetinae) from the Colombian Amazonia

2023-04-13T15:03:53-06:00

A new species, Catasetum caquetense from the Caquetá department of the Colombian Amazonia, is described and illustrated. Catasetum caquetense is morphologically distinct from similar species such as C. tuberculatum in its rectangular, entire, denticulate, prominent apiculate basal callus surrounded by inconspicuous crown-shaped protrusions with an extra callus towards the apex that partially narrows towards the mid-lip. Information about its distribution, ecology, habitat, and taxonomic comments on morphologically similar species is also provided. With this addition, the genus comprises eight species in the department of Caquetá.