A phylogenetic study of Sobralia (Orchidaceae) confirmed the polyphyletic character of the genus. Sobralia also appears to be highly heteromorphic in the morphology, especially considering the position and architecture of inflorescence, lip form and kind of its outgrowths, length and form of stelidia of column. The infrageneric relationship of Sobralia species was revealed by analyses of three DNA markers (nuclear ITS, xdh and plastid matK). The nominal section of the genus appears to be more related with Elleanthus and other genera of Sobralieae than with the remaining species of Sobralia. Sobralia section Sobralia differs from other representatives of the genus by the position and architecture of inflorescence, smaller floral bracts and the morphology of the flowers. We propose a generic rank to the group despite its paraphyletic nature. Nomenclatural consequences of this proposal are briefly discussed. Appropriate transfers to the newly erected genus Brasolia are proposed. A new species, Brasolia floribunda, previously detected by Reichenbach, but never formally described, is validated. Lectotypes for five species and a neotype for the other one are proposed.

No abstract

In Asia, three species of Polystachya (Orchidaceae) are recognized, based on detailed morphological studies. They occur in southern Asia, from Tamil Nadu State in southern India and Yunnan Province in southeastern China to Sumbawa Island in southern Indonesia. As circumscribed here, two Asiatic species are endemic to southern India apart from P. concreta, which is a taxon of pantropical distribution. As part of a detailed nomenclatural review, 21 lectotypes and 1 neotype are designated. For each species treated, a full synonymy, detailed description, illustration, and distribution map are provided. A key for determination of the Asiatic species is included. One species from southeastern India (Kalrayan Hills) is newly described: P. seidenfadeniana. Dendrobium parvum Seidenf. is reduced to a synonym of Polystachya concreta (Jacq.) Garay & H.R. Sweet.

Climate is the dominant control factor on the spatial distribution of organisms on a global scale and global warming is predicted to become a major cause of species extinctions. In our study ecological niche modeling (ENM) was used to estimate the effect of projected future climate changes on the pantropical orchid Polystacha concreta as well as to reconstruct changes in the distribution of the suitable climatic niches of this species since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The study revealed small differences in the niches occupied by populations of P. concreta recorded in various continents; however, these alterations will become more significant in regard to future climatic change. While losses of suitable habitats of the studied orchid will occur in the Americas and Africa, global warming will be favorable for Asian populations. Our study suggests a significant loss of niches since the LGM which indicates that the currently observed loss of habitats is not only the result of human activity but also of natural changes of the Earth’s climate. From the obtained models we identified the areas that will be the most resistant regarding the modifications caused by climate change.

Despite the clear circumscription of tribe Sobralieae (Orchidaceae), its internal relationships are still dubious. The recently delimited genus Brasolia, based on previous Sobralia species, is now assumed to be paraphyletic, with a third genus, Elleanthus, nested in it. The morphology of these three genera is significantly different, indicating the necessity of new data for a better genera delimitation. Though morphology and molecular data are available, cytogenetics data for Sobralieae is restricted to two Sobralia and one Elleanthus species. Aiming to evaluate the potential of cytogenetic data for Brasolia-Elleanthus-Sobralia genera delimitation, we present chromosome number and genome size data for 21 and 20 species, respectively, and used such data to infer the pattern of karyotype evolution in these genera. The analysis allowed us to infer x = 24 as the base chromosome number and genome size of average 1C-value of 5.0 pg for the common ancestor of Brasolia-Elleanthus-Sobralia. The recurrent descending dysploidy in Sobralieae and the punctual genome upsize suggest a recent diversification in Sobralieae but did not allow differing between Brasolia and Sobralia. However, the basal position of tribe Sobralieae in the subfamily Epidendroideae makes this tribe of interest to further studies clarifying the internal delimitation and pattern of karyotype evolution.

Sertifera is a small orchid genus consisting of nine species distributed in Andean regions of Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. Representatives of the genus are erect, slender plants growing terresti-ially, rarely as epiphytes or lithophytes. In habit, the plants resemble Sobralia and Elleanthus species. However, flowers, especially the lip, of Sertifera are unique and make tiie genus different from all others. No previous comprehensive tireatment of the genus exists, and tiie only key for determining Sertifera species was published by Garay in 1978, involving Ecuadorean taxa exclusively. Here we present the first key including all species of the genus, along with available details concerning morphology, distribution, and ecology. Based on differences in lip morphology and flower arrangement, the genus is divided into three sections; Sertifera, Aurantiacac, and Racemosae. Sertifera gracilis, discovered by Reichenbach, is validated. Sertifera risaraldana is described as a new species.

in Colombia, four species of Triphora (orchidaceae) are recognized. Two species (Triphora galeanoi and T. vichada ensis) are newly described. As circumscribed here, the two new species occur exclusively in Colombia apart from T. foldatsii, being known from Colombia and Venezuela, and T. gentianoides, ranging from the USA (Florida) in the north to Colombia in the south. For the species treated, a taxonomic description, synonymy and information about distribution are provided. Additionally, for the two new species, illustrations of flower parts are provided. A key for the determination of the Colombian species of Triphora is included.

The diversity of Cranichis in Bolivia is evaluated. An updated key for identifying species is provided. Morphological characteristics of 15 species of Bolivian Cranichis are presented together with illustrations of their floral segments. The occurrence of C. diphylla, C. lehmannii, and C. muscosa in this country was not confirmed. In our opinion the previously published Bolivian record for C. polyantha is doubtful. For the first time, C. badia and C. longipetiolata are reported in this country. Two new species of Cranichis are described.