Phylogeography of the neotropical epiphytic orchid, genus Dracula

Abstract

The tropical Andes constitute a natural barrier between the Pacifi c Ocean and the Atlantic; in these mountains, are a great variety of Ecosystems, defi ned by factors such as orography, winds, humidity, temperature, among others. Some of these Ecosystems have different environmental conditions from tropical ones. In them, there is a great Biodiversity, in some cases endemic and associated with relatively small geographic areas. An example of this biodiversity is the orchids of the genus Dracula, about which discussions are currently generated due to the diffi culty in classifying their members. The present work shows a study where DNA was isolated and sequenced from plant samples obtained from 52 species of orchids of the genus Dracula, which were analyzed using the MEGA7 software. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequences showed a well-resolved topology that refl ects a geographical pattern of several major clades of the Pacifi c and Atlantic watersheds. Geophysical conditions of the Andes have generated greater biodiversity of the genus Dracula on the side of the Pacifi c. Although the species Dracula cordobae and alessandroi reported on both sides of the study site belong to the same clade and show limited mobility through the drier area to the South of the mountain range.