Oberonia swaminathanii sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Kerala,India

Oberonia swaminathanii, a new species of Orchidaceae from Wayanad district, Kerala, India is described and illustrated. The new species resembles Oberonia balakrishnanii, O. chandrasekharanii and O. seidenfadeniana by its 3‐lobed labellum and 2‐lobuled midlobe; but differs in having brick‐red coloured flowers, triangular labellum disc, and a subglobose column.     

Dendrobium tamenglongense sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Manipur,India

Dendrobium tamenglongense R. Kishor, Y. N. Devi, H. B. Sharma, J. Tongbram & S. P. Vij sp. nov. from Manipur, India is described and illustrated as a new species. The new species differs from D. jaintianum in having larger and glabrous leaves with acute apices, green sepal apices, a 1–3‐flowered inflorescence, smaller and non‐fragrant flowers and a 3‐lobed labellum with fimbriate midlobe.     

Hedychium menghaiense (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Yunnan,China

Abstract Hedychium menghaiense X. Hu & N. Liu, a new species of the Zingiberaceae from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is currently known only from its type locality, Nannuoshan Mountain, Menghai County, growing under evergreen broad‐leaved forests at altitudes of 1400–1700 m. It is similar to Hedychium forrestii Diels, but differs in its narrower and emarginate labellum folded inwards lengthwise, narrower staminodes, and scarlet stamen. The recognition of the new species is supported by the results from analysis of sequence‐related amplified polymorphism markers.     

Post‐anthesis changes in the labellum of Cypripedium macranthos var. rebunense (Orchidaceae) and a speculation on functional design of the labellum

In bumblebee‐pollinated Cypripedium macranthos var. rebunense, some plants have small labella that do not allow pollinating queens to enter, but they occasionally produce capsules for reasons that remain unclear. We found that after anthesis, the labellum gradually droops, and its width and length (but not height) distinctly increase, eventually producing an elongate and dorsoventrally compressed shape. The rate of increase in labellum size was significantly greater in flowers that initially had a smaller labellum, so that the post‐anthesis changes actually enabled large‐bodied bumblebees to enter those labella. Therefore, we conclude that C. macranthos var. rebunense relied on only bumblebee queens for pollination, irrespective of labellum size at the time of anthesis. Observations of in‐labellum bumblebee behavior suggested that the elongate and dorsoventrally compressed shape and the inclination seemed to result in more predictable and desirable bumblebee movements into the labellum.     

Orchidantha crassinervia sp. nov. (Lowiaceae) from Guangxi,China

Here we describe and illustrate a new species, Orchidantha crassinervia sp. nov. (Lowiaceae), from Guangxi Province, China. The species is closely related to O. yunnanensis and O. virosa, but can be distinguished from these species in possessing a very thick midrib of the labellum, fewer flowers per inflorescence and by a shorter plant height. The species is known only from the three populations within 3 km.     

What do floral anatomy and micromorphology tell us about Neotropical Bulbophyllum section Didactyle (Orchidaceae: Bulbophyllinae)?

Bulbophyllum section Didactyle comprises seven species, but distinction between these is often problematic. These species are pollinated by milichiid flies and air currents move the hinged labellum and press the pollinator against the gynostemium. The labellum structure is considered to be homogeneous and conservative for the genus. Therefore, the floral anatomy and micromorphology of B. section Didactyle were studied in order to identify characters useful for distinguishing the species. All species have sunken glandular trichomes on the abaxial surface of the sepals (possible osmophores) and a trilobed labellum, clothed with trichomes, with a secretory cavity in the callus that is bound by scale‐like papillae. Of the c. 100 characters assessed, 25 varied between species, and each pair of species differed by at least four character states, mainly occurring on the labellum. The data presented allow for a distinction to be made between species and corroborates their grouping in B. section Didactyle, as proposed previously. The presence of osmophores and a nectary on the labellum is confirmed, although their structure is more diverse than anticipated. Moreover, structural differences between B. weddellii and the core of the section might be the result of the odour‐mediated attraction of pollinators rather than flower morphology and thus phylogeny. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 175 , 438–452.     

双眼带叶兰, 中国兰科一新记录种

报道了中国兰科植物一新记录种：双眼带叶兰(Taeniophyllum biocellatum J. J. Sm.),并提供特征描述和彩色图片。该种与近缘种的区别特征为花序柄和花序柄苞片浅绿色,根呈圆柱形,花序短;紫红色药帽的中间具2个黄色小点,唇瓣开口大,萼片和花瓣黄绿色。     

Visual discrimination between two sexually deceptive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophrys</Emphasis> species by a bee pollinator

Almost all species of the orchid genus Ophrys are pollinated by sexual deception. The orchids mimic the sex pheromone of receptive female insects, mainly hymenopterans, in order to attract males seeking to copulate. Most Ophrys species have achromatic flowers, but some exhibit a coloured perianth and a bright, conspicuous labellum pattern. We recently showed that the pink perianth of Ophrys heldreichii flowers increases detectability by its pollinator, males of the long-horned bee Eucera berlandi. Here we tested the hypothesis that the bright, complex labellum pattern mimics the female of the pollinator to increase attractiveness toward males. In a dual-choice test we offered E. berlandi males an O. heldreichii flower and a flower from O. dictynnae, which also exhibits a pinkish perianth but no conspicuous labellum pattern. Both flowers were housed in UV-transmitting acrylic glass boxes to exclude olfactory signals. Males significantly preferred O. heldreichii to O. dictynnae flowers. In a second experiment, we replaced the perianth of both flowers with identical artificial perianths made from pink card, so that only the labellum differed between the two flower stimuli. Males then chose between both stimuli at random, suggesting that the presence of a labellum pattern does not affect their choice. Spectral measurements revealed higher colour contrast with the background of the perianth of O. heldreichii compared to O. dictynnae, but no difference in green receptor-specific contrast or brightness. Our results show that male choice is guided by the chromatic contrast of the perianth during the initial flower approach but is not affected by the presence of a labellum pattern. Instead, we hypothesise that the labellum pattern is involved in aversive learning during post-copulatory behaviour and used by the orchid as a strategy to increase outcrossing.     

Two New Species of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liparis</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae) from Korea Based on Morphological and Molecular Data

Two new species of Liparis Rich. (Orchidaceae) from Korea are described: Liparis yongnoana and Liparis pterosepala. Liparis yongnoana is similar to plants called as L. japonica and L. makinoana in having an anther cap with a beaked apex and a weakly reflexed labellum. However, L. yongnoana can be distinguished from them by a presence of a narrowly elliptic line on a labellum, a less emarginated apex of a more reflexed labellum, a short column, and a few flowers. L. pterosepala is similar to Liparis kumokiri, Liparis koreojaponica, and Liparis fujisanensis in having an anther cap with a mucronate apex and an excessively reflexed labellum. But L. pterosepala can be distinguished from the three similar taxa by its wide sepals and its early flowering time. Based on the molecular data using nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cpDNA regions (matK, trnS-trnG, trnL with trnL-trnF), L. yongnoana has five autapomorphic substitutions in ITS region and four substitutions and one deletion in cpDNA. Another new taxon, L. pterosepala, has one autapomorphy in ITS and cpDNA regions, respectively. A molecular phylogeny also indicates that L. yongnoana is close to plants called as L. japonica and L. makinoana, and L. pterosepala is close to L. kumokiri, L. koreojaponica, and L. fujisanensis.     

Zingiber pseudosquarrosum sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands,India

Zingiber pseudosquarrosum L. J. Singh & P. Singh sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India is described and illustrated and its conservation status is evaluated. This new species seems related to Z. squarrosum Roxb. but can be distinguished by the presence of a small pseudostem, long ligule and petiole, broadly lanceolate leaves with cuneate base, caudate apex and paxillate venation, urceolate or prolate inflorescences, very long underground peduncle, long calyx, very long corolla tube, labellum deep purple red (claret) at centre, orange red (vermillion) at lateral sides with ivory (off white) spots, tip truncate and slightly notched, margin folded back, stamen with short filament, yellow orange anther, light brown ovary, blood red (cinnabar) seeds covered by a white aromatic aril. A key to the species of Zingiber Mill. from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also provided.     

Salvia siirtica sp. nov. (Lamiaceae) from Turkey

Salvia siirtica Kahraman, Celep & Do?an sp. nov.(Lamiaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the northern part of Siirt province in southeast Anatolia, Turkey, where it was found growing in open forests of Quercus. It is morphologically similar to S. indica L., but differs by having densely glandular pilose to villous stems and petioles, close verticillasters, smaller flowers, clearly concave calyx apices, entirely white corollas and smaller nutlets. Salvia siirtica and S. indica are also distinguished by their nutlet and pollen micromorphologies, illustrated by SEM images. The nutlet surface of S. siirtica is very finely wrinkled and its pollen has 3–4 primary lumina per 25 μm², compared to 5–8 in S. indica. Conservation status assessment, distribution map, and notes on biogeography and ecology of the new species are provided.     

Spiranthes hachijoensis (Orchidaceae), a new species within the S. sinensis species complex in Japan,based on morphological,phylogenetic, and ecological evidence

The systematics of the Old World Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames species complex (Orchidaceae) has been complicated by its wide distribution and morphological variations. Within the species complex, S. australis Lindl. has been generally accepted as the only Spiranthes Rich. species distributed on the Japanese mainland. The present study provides morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence for the recognition of S. hachijoensis Suetsugu as a new species of the S. sinensis species complex on the Japanese mainland. Spiranthes hachijoensis is morphologically similar to S. hongkongensis S.Y. Hu & Barretto and S. nivea T.P. Lin & W.M. Lin, sharing a degenerated rostellum, pollinia without a viscidium, and distinctly trilobed stigma. However, the taxon can be morphologically distinguished from S. hongkongensis by its glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals, and from S. nivea by its papillate labellum disc, larger papillate basal labellum callosities, and glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals. The autogamy and flowering phenology (i.e., earlier flowering) of S. hachijoensis are most likely responsible for premating isolation from the sympatric S. australis. A MIG-seq-based high-throughput molecular analysis indicated that the genetic difference between S. hachijoensis and its putative sister species S. sinensis is comparable to, or even greater than, the genetic difference between pairs of other species within the S. sinensis species complex. Our multifaceted approach strongly supports the recognition of S. hachijoensis as a morphologically, phenologically, phylogenetically, and ecologically distinct species.

     

Molecular markers allow sibling species identification in red wood ants (Formica rufa group)

Red wood ants (Formica rufa group) constitute a group of species that are considered to be among the most promising bioindicators in forest ecosystems. However, because of their morphological similarity and intraspecific variability, morphological species identification can be difficult. Considerable expertise is necessary to discriminate between the sibling species F. lugubris and F. paralugubris, two species that often live in sympatry in the same Alpine forests. New taxonomic tools providing rapid and reliable species identification are needed. We present a simple and reliable molecular technique based on mtDNA (COI gene) and a restriction enzyme for discriminating between F. lugubris and F. paralugubris. We confirm the validity of this method with a Bayesian analysis based on microsatellites. This new molecular tool represents a clear breakthrough for discriminating between F. lugubris and F. paralugubris and is likely to be helpful in large‐scale biomonitoring.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coprinopsis austrophlyctidospora</Emphasis> sp. nov., an agaric ammonia fungus from Southern Hemisphere plantations and natural forests

A new ammonia fungus, Coprinopsis austrophlyctidospora, is described from Nothofagus and Pinus forests in New Zealand and from Eucalyptus forest in Australia. In ecology and macro-morphology, this species is similar to the Northern Hemisphere species C. phlyctidospora, but the new species differs in morphological characters of the basidiospore, i.e., in having a plage, more minute surface warts, and the smaller size of the basidiospore.     

Platycarpum vriesendorpiae sp. nov., a second new species of Tribe Henriquezieae (Rubiaceae) from nutrient‐poor soils in the Peruvian Amazon

The new species Platycarpum vriesendorpiae N. Dávila (Rubiaceae, Henriquezieae) is described from Peru, where it is restricted to white‐sand forests and peatlands in the Tapiche and Blanco River watersheds in southeastern Loreto Region. The new species is generally similar to P. acreanum Rogers of western Brazil in its phyllotaxy, leaf pubescence, and fruit shape and size. However, P. vriesendorpiae differs in its triangular stipules that are 2‐ or 3‐angled at the base and in its smaller corolla.     

Liparis rubescens sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from Thailand

In the context of an ongoing revision of the orchid genus Liparis in Thailand, we describe and illustrate a new species under the name L. rubescens Tetsana, H. A. Pedersen & Sridith. Morphologically, it is particularly similar to L. dumaguetensis Ames from the Philippines, but it differs in the shape of the lateral sepals and in several characters of the labellum. Among the Liparis species already known from Thailand, L. atrosanguinea Ridl. bears a certain resemblance to the new species, but not so much as to make misidentifications likely. So far, L. rubescens is only known from Khao Nan National Park in the southern Thai province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, but we suggest that it should also be searched for in other parts of peninsular Thailand, southernmost Myanmar and Peninsular Malaysia.     

A new orchid from Saül,French Guiana: Epidendrum oldemanii

A new species in theEpidendrum difforme complex is described and illustrated,E. oldemanii. Closely related toE. amapense, E. oldemanii is distinguished by the absence of a midlobe to the labellum.     

Neomarica sergipensis sp. nov. (Trimezieae–Iridaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

A new species of Neomarica from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is described and illustrated. Neomarica sergipensis A. Gil & M.C.E. Amaral sp. nov. (Trimezieae, Iridoideae, Iridaceae) grows in restinga forests (forests on the coastal plains dominated by sandy soils) in the state of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. The new species resembles Neomarica northiana, especially due to the white flowers with the basal third of the tepals yellow and covered by brown maculae, but differs by the inner tepals of with the center of the apical third is tinted violet to purple, yellow stigmatic crests with fimbriate to erose margins, and the endemic occurrence in Sergipe.     

Roscoea cangshanensis M. H. Luo,X. F. Gao & H. H. Lin,a new species of the Zingiberaceae from Yunnan,China

Roscoea cangshanensis M. H. Luo, X. F. Gao & H. H. Lin, a new species of the Zingiberaceae from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is related to R. forrestii Cowley in habit, but differs in having 2-lobed labellum, each lobe 2-lobulate, base narrowed to a stalk with white lines, and narrower leaf blade, (2–)7–24×1.5–2.5 cm, with base narrow to petiole-like. The new species is also similar to R. debilis Gagnep. in having leaf base narrow to petiole-like, labellum obovate-cuneate, 2.5–3.5×2.5–3.0 cm, with white lines at throat, but differs in having bracts non-tubular, shorter, 5–15 mm long, concealed in leaf sheaths, corolla tubes longer, 10–12.5 cm long, labellum 2-lobed with each lobe further 2-lobulate.