André Schuiteman

Phylogenetics of subtribe Orchidinae s.l. (Orchidaceae; Orchidoideae) based on seven markers (plastid matK , psaB, rbcL, trnL-F, trnH-psba, and nuclear nrITS, Xdh ): implications for generic delimitation

BackgroundSubtribe Orchidinae (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae) are a nearly cosmopolitan taxon of terrestrial orchids, comprising about 1800 species in 47 to 60 genera. Although much progress has been made in recent years of phylogenetics of Orchidinae, considerable problems remain to be addressed. Based on molecular phylogenetics, we attempt to illustrate the phylogenetic relationships and discuss generic delimitation within Orchidinae. Seven DNA markers (five plastid and two nuclear), a broad sampling of Orchidinae (400 species in 52 genera) and three methods of phylogenetic analysis (maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference) were used.ResultsOrchidinae s.l. are monophyletic. Satyrium is sister to the rest of Orchidinae s.l. Brachycorythis and Schizochilus are successive sister to Asian-European Orchidinae s.s. Sirindhornia and Shizhenia are successive sister to clade formed by Tsaiorchis-Hemipilia-Ponerorchis alliance. Stenoglottis is sister to the Habenaria-Herminium-Peristylus alliance. Habenaria, currently the largest genus in Orchidinae, is polyphyletic and split into two distant clades: one Asian-Australian and the other African–American–Asian. Diplomeris is sister to Herminium s.l. plus Asian-Australian Habenaria.ConclusionsWe propose to recognize five genera in the Ponerorchis alliance: Hemipilia, Ponerorchis s.l., Sirindhornia, Shizhenia and Tsaiorchis. Splitting Habenaria into two genera based on morphological characters and geographical distribution may be the least disruptive approach, and it is reasonable to keep Satyrium in Orchidinae.

Porpax verrucosa (Orchidaceae), a new species from Cambodia

SummaryA new species of Porpax (Orchidaceae - Epidendroideae - Podochileae) from the Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia is described and illustrated. It is similar to P. elwesii but differs in the much broader and longer, obovate petals that are covered with numerous, glassy, enlarged cells, giving a verrucose appearance.

Xenikophyton Garay (Orchidaceae — Aeridinae), a new synonym of Schoenorchis Reinw. ex Blume

SummaryThe genus Xenikophyton is reduced to synonymy under Schoenorchis. X. seidenfadenianum is synonymised with X. smeeanum, which is here transferred to Schoenorchis. A full description and illustrations are provided of S. smeeana.

Ornithochilus cacharensis (Orchidaceae), a new species from India (Assam)

SummaryA new orchid species from Assam, Ornithochilus cacharensis Barbhuiya, B. K. Dutta & Schuit., is described. It differs from the other species in the small genus Ornithochilus (Lindl.) Benth. in floral morphology and in the uniformly red-purple flowers. The taxonomy of the genus is discussed and a key to the known taxa of Ornithochilus is presented.

New names and combinations in Orchidaceae from the Philippines and New Guinea

New names and combinations are proposed for species of the orchid genera Bulbophyllum, Dendrobium, Flickingeria, Glomera, Octarrhena and Trichotosia. The genera Ischnocentrum and Sepalosiphon are synonymised with Glomera, while Chitonanthera is synonymised with Octarrhena.

Eulophia obtusa (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Cymbideae) an addition to the flora of Bangladesh, with notes on its ecology and conservation status

SummaryLittle published information exists about Eulophia obtusa, a showy and distinctive species previously recorded from North India and Nepal. It is here reported from Bangladesh for the first time. The population occurring in Bangladesh may represent a distinct colour form, with pure white instead of bright yellow sepals and petals as in previous records. A species growing in seasonally waterlogged grassland, its only known site in Bangladesh has already been destroyed for agricultural development. No reliable data on its present day occurrence in India and Nepal could be obtained. However, the most recent of only three collections in the Kew Herbarium dates from 1902, which suggests that it is quite a rare species. It must be assessed as critically endangered (CR) in Bangladesh, according to the IUCN Red Listing criteria.

Four new orchid species from the Lengguru fold belt, West Papua, Indonesia.

Abstract Bulbophyllum leucoglossum, Dendrobium centrosepalum, Dendrobium taeniocaule, and Taeniophyllum pyriforme are here described as new species, based on herbarium specimens collected from the Lengguru fold-and-thrust belt in the West Papua Bird’s neck, Indonesian New Guinea. All four novelties were found growing in submontane forest (elevation > 1000 m a.s.l.) on limestone karst. Information concerning the distribution and habitat for these taxa is provided along with diagnostic features, line drawings, high resolution photographs, and a map of collecting localities. More field studies are required to find additional populations of these new species, in order to better characterize their habitat, ecology and conservation status.

A very odd little thing: Pennilabium hewittii (Orchidaceae)

SummaryThe misinterpreted Thrixspermum hewittii (based on Dendrocolla minima Ridl., non Blume) is transferred to Pennilabium. The species is still only known from the type collection from Sarawak and is here illustrated for the first time.

Claderia (Orchidaceae), a new generic record for the Philippines and a probable case of regional extinction

SummaryAn overlooked specimen collected by August Loher in Luzon about a century ago is belatedly identified as a species of Claderia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Cymbidieae). This is the first and only record of this genus from the Philippines, which now may well be extinct in this part of its range.