Cristiano Roberto Buzatto

Typifications and New Synonymies in Capanemia (Orchidaceae, Oncidiinae)

Abstract.  Capanemia Barb. Rodr. (Orchidaceae, Oncidiinae) currently includes 17 epiphytic, predominantly Brazilian species. As part of an ongoing revision of this genus, we herein propose new synonyms and typifications for several taxa. After a thorough revision of both herbarium material and many living specimens in cultivation collected in southern and southeastern Brazil, we herein recognize only seven species, six of which are treated here: C. brachycion (Griseb.) Schltr., C. carinata Barb. Rodr., C. gehrtii Hoehne, C. micromera Barb. Rodr., C. superflua (Rchb. f.) Garay, and C. therezae Barb. Rodr; the seventh species, C. adelaidae Porto & Brade, is recognized as valid but not treated here, since no taxonomic or nomenclatural problems were detected regarding this species. New synonymies are proposed: C. ensata Pabst is referred to C. gehrtii; C. angustilabia Schltr., C. australis (Kraenzl.) Schltr., C. lossiana L. Kollmann, C. perpusilla Schltr., C. riograndensis Pabst, and C. spathuliglossa Pabst are referred to C. micromera; and C. fluminensis Pabst is referred to C. therezae. Lectotypes are proposed for C. angustilabia, C. carinata, C. micromera, C. perpusilla, C. spathuliglossa, and C. therezae. A neotype is proposed for C. hatschbachii Schltr.

Floral features, pollination biology and breeding system of Chloraea membranacea Lindl. (Orchidaceae: Chloraeinae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The pollination biology of very few Chloraeinae orchids has been studied to date, and most of these studies have focused on breeding systems and fruiting success. Chloraea membranacea Lindl. is one of the few non-Andean species in this group, and the aim of the present contribution is to elucidate the pollination biology, functional floral morphology and breeding system in native populations of this species from Argentina (Buenos Aires) and Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul State). METHODS Floral features were examined using light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The breeding system was studied by means of controlled pollinations applied to plants, either bagged in the field or cultivated in a glasshouse. Pollination observations were made on natural populations, and pollinator behaviour was recorded by means of photography and video. KEY RESULTS Both Argentinean and Brazilian plants were very consistent regarding all studied features. Flowers are nectarless but scented and anatomical analysis indicates that the dark, clavate projections on the adaxial labellar surface are osmophores (scent-producing glands). The plants are self-compatible but pollinator-dependent. The fruit-set obtained through cross-pollination and manual self-pollination was almost identical. The main pollinators are male and female Halictidae bees that withdraw the pollinarium when leaving the flower. Remarkably, the bees tend to visit more than one flower per inflorescence, thus promoting self-pollination (geitonogamy). Fruiting success in Brazilian plants reached 60·78 % in 2010 and 46 % in 2011. Some pollinarium-laden female bees were observed transferring pollen from the carried pollinarium to their hind legs. The use of pollen by pollinators is a rare record for Orchidaceae in general. CONCLUSIONS Chloraea membrancea is pollinated by deceit. Together, self-compatibility, pollinarium texture, pollinator abundance and behaviour may account for the observed high fruiting success. It is suggested that a reappraisal and re-analysis of important flower features in Chloraeinae orchids is necessary.

Typifications and taxonomic notes in species of Brazilian Goodyerinae and Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae) described by José Vellozo and Barbosa Rodrigues

A total of 46 lectotypes, one neotype and one epitype are designated for species of Goodyerinae and Spiranthinae originally described by Jose Mariano da Conceicao Vellozo and Joao Barbosa Rodrigues. Moreover, three new previously accepted names are treated as synonyms.

A comparative survey of floral characters in Capanemia Barb. Rodr. (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Capanemia Barb. Rodr. comprises seven species that mostly inhabit the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest domain. The genus currently consists of two sections: Capanemia Cogn. and Planifolia Pabst, distinguished on the basis of leaf shape. We compare the floral morphology and anatomy of all species to determine whether separation into sections is supported by floral characters. METHODS Both fresh flowers and herbarium specimens were investigated, and column and pollinarium features, together with the presence or absence of floral rewards, recorded. Anatomical features were examined using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS With the sole exception of Capanemia therezae, all species shared a distinctive set of floral characters. Flowers were mostly white or yellowish-white and fragrant, and column wings were positioned parallel to the labellum, concealing the stigmatic cavity. Pollinaria had proportionally long tegular stipes and clavate to reniform pollinia, whereas the labellum possessed a conspicuous indument of trichomes, but was devoid of nectar or any other secretion that might function as a food-reward. Capanemia therezae, however, was exceptional in having greenish, unscented flowers with short, rounded and divergent column wings and an exposed stigmatic cavity. Its pollinaria had proportionally short tegular stipes and round pollinia, whereas the labellum lacked trichomes. Droplets of nectar were evident on the adaxial surface of the labellum, adjacent to the callus. Floral features did not support the currently accepted sectional division of Capanemia. If ongoing phylogenetic studies demonstrate that both sections are indeed monophyletic, then these taxa should be distinguished solely on the basis of foliar features.

Capanemia Barb. Rodr. (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae), a new record from Bahia state, Brazil

Capanemia Barb. Rodr. is recorded for the first time from Bahia state. The presence of two species broadens the known area of occurrence of the genus, establishing a new setentrional distribution limit.

Sinningia lutea (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Southern Brazil

Sinningia lutea (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the Pampa Biome, in Southern Brazil. In the literature, this species has hitherto been confused with S. allagophylla from which it can be easily separated using a set of floral and vegetative features (especially corolla color and size and leaf shape). An artificial key to separate S. lutea from S. allagophylla and S. curtiflora (another sympatric species, with some morphological similarities) is presented. Some ecological remarks on the differential distribution of S. lutea and S. allagophylla are also made.ResumoSinningia lutea (Gesneriaceae) é descrita e ilustrada como uma espécie nova para a ciência, provinda do Bioma Pampa, no Sul do Brasil. Na literatura local precedente, esta espécie tem sido confundida com S. allagophylla, espécie da qual pode ser facilmente separada utilizando um conjunto de caracteres de morfologia floral e vegetativa (especialmente a cor e o tamanho da corola e o formato das folhas). Se fornece uma chave dicotômica artificial para separar S. lutea de S. allagophylla e S. curtiflora (outra espécie simpátrica com algumas semelhanças morfológicas). Efetuam-se também algumas considerações ecológicas sobre a distribuição geográfica diferenciada de S. lutea e S. allagophylla.