Dariusz L. Szlachetko

Evolution, pollination, and systematics of the tribeNeottieae (Orchidaceae)

The various classifications of the orchid tribeNeottieae are reviewed and a new classification is proposed that divides the tribe into three subtribes,Neottiinae, Limodorinae, andCephalantherinae, based primarily on characters of the column (gynostemium). A cladistic analysis illustrates that these three subtribes are more closely related to one another than either is to any other group in subfam.Neottioideae, although there are very few apomorphic characters for the tribe. Pollination biology is also discussed showing links between breeding systems and distribution. There is also a possible role between column and labellum morphology and the emergence of a deceptive pollination syndrome from one of reward.

Taxonomy of the Subtribe Maxillariinae (Orchidaceae, Vandoideae) revised

Abstract A new classification of the subtribe Maxillariinae (Orchidaceae) is proposed. Thirty-seven genera are revised. The Camaridium group is divided into seven genera, Adamanthus, Camaridium, Pseudomaxillaria, Psittacoglossum and three described here: Chaseopsis, Chelyella and Viracocha. Ornithidium s.l. is divided into seven genera: Heterotaxis, Laricorchis,Neo-urbania, Nitidobulbon, Ornithidium, Vazquezella and Aucellia, the latter two described here. 193 new combinations on the species level are validated and the relationships among the genera are briefly discussed. A key to the determination of all genera representing Maxillariinae s. s. is provided.

Reclassification of the Angraecum-alliance (Orchidaceae, Vandoideae) based on molecular and morphological data

Abstract Results of molecular analysis compared with morphological studies were used for reclassification of the Angraecumalliance (Orchidaceae). For the purpose of this study we sequenced the ITS region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of nrDNA representing nuclear genome and the plastid region trnL-F (including intron of trnL gene and trnL-trnF intergenic spacer). The ITS matrix includes 97 samples representing 86 species and the trnL-F matrix includes 94 samples representing 86 species. We focus mainly on the genus Angraecum, however the other genera of Angraecinae are also included (Aeranthes, Campylocentrum, Dendrophylax, Cryptopus, Calyptrochilum, Lemurorchis, Jumellea, Neobathiea, Oeonia, Oeoniella, Sobennikoffia). Additional 43 sequences, including an outgroup (Polystachya modesta) and other representatives of the subtribes Aeridinae (Aerides) and Aerangidinae (Aerangis, Angraecopsis, Erasanthe, Solenangis), were obtained from NCBI resources. Bayesian analysis using MrBayes 3.1.2 on the combined ITS/trnL-F matrix were performed. The monophyly of Angraecinae with an inclusion of Aerangidinae is highly supported by both methods (93 BP/100 PP). The Angraecoid taxa formed two well supported clades, namely clade I (89 BP/100 PP) and clade II (84 BP/100 PP). New classification based on both molecular and classical taxonomy studies is presented including a key to the genera. The subtribe Angraecinae includes 36 genera, 18 of them, included within Angraecum by different authors so far, are treated here. Five new genera are described: Eichlerangraecum, Hermansia, Lesliegraecum, Pectianriella and Rudolfangraecum. Ten sections of Angraecum are raised to the generic status.

A New Species of Psilochilus (Triphoreae, Orchidaceae) from Colombia

Abstract A new Psilochilus species from the Western Cordillera of Colombia, Psilochilus vallecaucanus is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to P. macrophyllus, from which it differs by a long-clawed lip with obscure, obtuse lateral lobes. The relevant morphological features are illustrated. A key to the species of Psilochilus is provided. The information about the ecology and distribution of the new species is provided.

Notes on Pachyphyllinae (Vandoideae, Orchidaceae) with a description of a new genus

The Neotropical subtribe Pachyphyllinae comprises orchids distributed mainly along the Andes and characterized by the monopodial type of growth. The systematic position of this taxon within Orchidaceae and its generic composition was intensively discussed, but so far no comprehensive morphological study on the group was conducted. In this paper the morphological descriptions of all genera included in Pachyphyllinae are provided and the key to their identification is presented. In addition, the taxonomic position of Raycadenco is discussed. The research revealed the existence of two distinctive species which were classified until now within Pachyphyllum or Fernandezia. Since neither the flower morphology of those two species nor the gynostemium structure fulfils the concept of any known orchid taxon, the new genus is described here under the name Valdiviesoa. The two representatives of the new taxon are illustrated and the photographs of the plants are provided. The information about their distribution and ecology are provided. The morphological characters of all Pachyphyllinae representatives are compared.

Pterichis moralesii (Cranichidinae, Orchidaceae), a New Species from Colombia

Pterichis moralesii, a new orchid species from Colombia, is described and illustrated. The differences between P. moralesii and similar species are briefly discussed and a key to the Colombian species of Pterichis, as well as information on the ecology and distribution of P. moralesii are provided.

Fernandezia ortiziana (Orchidaceae), a New Species from Colombia

Fernandezia ortiziana Kolan. & Szlach. (Orchidaceae), a new species from Colombia, is described and illustrated. The differences between F. ortiziana and similar species are briefly discussed and a key to the Colombian species of Fernandezia is presented.

Taxonomic placement of Paphiopedilum canhii (Cypripedioideae; Orchidaceae) based on cytological, molecular and micromorphological evidence.

Paphiopedilum canhii was discovered in Northern Vietnam. Since its description in 2010, it has caused a stir among taxonomists due to its interesting mixture of morphological features, i.e. marbled, relatively thick leaves, flowers similar to species classified in the section Barbata, and unique, large staminodial shield. On the basis of these features, it is difficult to classify the species to existing infrageneric units. Using cytological data, phylogenetic analyses based on plastid and nuclear genes and the study of the adaxial epidermis of the leaves and gynostemium structure obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscopy (LM), the taxonomic position of P. canhii was determined. These results suggest that P. canhii forms an independent phylogenetic line within the genus Paphiopedilum deserving subgeneric status, already proposed by Braem and Gruss (2011) as Megastaminodium.

A new species of Hapalorchis (Spiranthinae, Orchidaceae) from Colombia

Hapalorchis bicornis, a new species from Colombia, is described, illustrated and placed within the key for the determination of Colombian Hapalorchis species. The information about the distribution and ecology of the new species as well as brief taxonomic notes are provided.

Psilochilus tuerckheimii (Orchidaceae), a New Species from Guatemala

Psilochilus tuerckheimii Kolan. & Szlach., a new orchid species from Guatemala is described, illustrated and placed within an identification key to the Central American species of Psilochilus. The taxonomic affinity of P. tuerckheimii is briefly discussed.