The history of the taxonomy of Pleurothallis R.Br. subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae and recent descriptions in that group are summarized. The phylogenetic position of the group based on preliminary molecular data and the appropriateness of the proposed genera Acronia C.Presl. and Zosterophyllanthos Szlach. & Marg. for this group are discussed. Three new species from northern South America are described: Pleurothallis rubrifolia from southeastern Ecuador and northeastern Peru; Pleurothallis nangaritzae from southeastern Ecuador; and Pleurothallis castanea. Labellar micromorphology examined by scanning electron microscopy for P. rubrifolia and P. nangaritzae is discussed in relation to taxonomy and possible pollinator interactions.
aBstract. In this paper we summarize the taxonomic history of Pleurothallis crocodiliceps Rchb.f. and demonstrate that the species described by Reichenbach did not possess the stereotypical minute, pubescent, tri-lobed lip, with basal lobes modified into "horns". The first two species described with such a lip were P. arietina and P. nelsonii. Rather than a single widely distributed, variable species, with a morphologically constant lip, P. crocodiliceps, we recognize the P. arietina-P. nelsonii species complex. Herein we describe four new species in this complex and discuss the morphological characters useful in distinguishing among the members of the complex. We also discuss the nature of the lip possessed by members of this complex and propose that it may mimic a female insect luring a male fly into pollinating the flower by pseudocopulation.
abstract. A new species of Pleurothallis from subsection Macrophyllae-Racemosae is described from Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Morphological characteristics to distinguish this species from Pleurothallis bicornis, P. subreniformis and P. torrana are presented. The micromorphology of the lip of the new species was studied utilizing scanning electron microscopy. Labellar micromorphology is discussed in relation to putative pollination mechanisms.
aBstract. Pleurothallis trimeroglossa has long been considered a synonym of P. talpinaria. In this study we reviewed types, descriptions, drawings, paintings and living material for both names and concluded that P. talpinaria and P. trimeroglossa should be recognized as distinct species. An anatomical structure important in the distinction between the two is the large dome-shaped callus at the base of the lip in P. trimeroglossa. The approximate distributions and elevational ranges of the two species are discussed. During the study we recognized a novel species, described here as Pleurothallis jostii. Labellar morphology of all three species was examined. We speculate on the pollination mechanism of this group of species based on the observations of labellar micro-morphology.
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