Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Two subspecies of Phragmipedium humboldtii from Guatemala, P. humboldtii subsp. monstruosum and P. humboldtii subsp. triandrum (Orchidaceae, Cypripedioideae) were wrong published in Die Orchidee 66(3), 2015, since the new status of these subspecies are based on an incorrect name for the authorship of P. humboldtii (Warsz. ex Rchb.f.) J.T. Atwood & Dressler instead of P. humboldtii (Warsz.) J.T. Atwood & Dressler. The formal names of the subspecies are corrected here.

Phymatidium glaziovii is proposed as a new synonym for P. geiselii. A lectotype and an epitype are selected for P. geiselii. Illustrations and taxonomic discussions are also provided. 

Lepanthes miraculum, formerly known from one area in Bolivia, is reported from Machu Picchu in southern Peru. Illustrations, figures, notes on the specimens found in Peru and an updated description are provided and compared to those known from Bolivia. 

Sixteen orchid species are first reported for the area of Quepos in addition to those recorded for Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica. Generic descriptions are provided for the genera not previously recorded for the area, and each species is described and illustrated. Data on distribution and phenology are provided, together with keys to the genera including more than one species in the area. A new species, Epidendrum montis-narae Pupulin & L.Sánchez, is decribed and illustrated. Two previously recorded species, Epidendrum isomerum and Oncidium polycladium, are illistrated from material collected within the study area.

Historically, the isthmus of Costa Rica and Panama has been a source of fascination for its strategic position linking North America to South America. In terms of biodiversity, the isthmus is considered one of the richest regions in the world. Orchidaceae is the most diverse plant family in the area, and the number of species is triple that of other well-represented angiosperm families such as Rubiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. Though we are still far from knowing the exact number of orchid species occurring extant in both countries nowadays, at present the orchid flora reported for Costa Rica (1574 spp.) and Panama (1372 spp.) summarise together about 2010 species; which represents 6.5-8.0% of all orchid species on just about 1% of the Earth’s land surface. Pleurothallidinae and Laeliinae are the most species rich groups and contain the largest genera: Lepanthes, Pleurothallis, Stelis and Epidendrum. These groups significantly outnumber the other genera recorded in terms of species richness. Some factors explaining this regional taxonomic diversity of orchids are the natural land bridge uniting three of the 25 recognized hotspots worldwide (Mesoamerica, Choco/Darien/Western Ecuador and tropical Andes), the climatic influence of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and the recent lifting of the Cordillera de Talamanca and the formation of foothills of Majé, Darien and San Blas in Panama and western Colombia. Although these factors can explain the high diversity in general terms, detailed information is needed to understand species diversification as well as the evolution of the floristic composition. Updated floristic inventories (yielding a rate of 25 new species/year) and the study of biological mechanisms that have led to the evolutionary diversification of Lepanthes (one of the major groups of orchids) are the main ongoing research projects to elucidate the evolution of Orchidaceae in Costa Rica and Panama. Towards this end, we present some preliminary results of the research conducted in this direction including the integration of phylogenetics, pollination ecology, taxonomy and biogeography. 

To elucidate the factors which control the flower phenotypic plasticity of Catasetum fimbriatum, studies focusing the floral development of the species were performed. The treatments were: high light intensity (1613 μmol.m-2.s-1); low light intensity (454 μmol.m-2.s-1) and mean light intensity (827 μmol.m-2.s-1). The floral morphology and anatomy were analyzed to evaluate of the sequence of tissue development involved in the sexual differentiation. We found the presence of cell cluster with meristematic features in the ovaries and gynostemium of the male and female diclinous flowers. These are responsible for the definition of the sexual expression of the species, in the dependence of the environmental stimulus, related to the endogenous concentration of ethylene, allowing, consequently, the dedifferentiation and re-differentiation of those clusters in the sexual determination of the flowers. There were no anatomical differences in floral tissues in different treatments. 

The natural vanilla essence is obtained principally from the fruits of the species Vanilla planifolia, a member of the Vanilla aromatic clade, and native to the neo-tropics. Colombia is an important center of diversity for the genus with 22 Vanilla species reported, of which 18 belong to the aromatic clade. Colombian native Vanilla species comprise important genetic resources for the vanilla crop. Although there is no tradition of cultivation of vanilla in the country, these species have potential for establishment in sustainable agroforestry systems. Nonetheless, Vanilla, like many orchid species, is subject to both intrinsic and extrinsic conservation threats. This article outlines an integrated strategy for conservation, incorporating in situ, ex situ and circa situm measures to ensure the conservation of Vanilla species in Colombia, and to promote their sustainable use in community-based cultivation programs. This proposed strategy is also relevant for conservation managers in other countries with native Vanilla species. 

Two new species, Pabstiella calimanii and Pabstiella recurviloba, are described and illustrated. One new combination, Pabstiella deltoglossa, is proposed. Eight species and one variety are proposed as synonyms. They are listed in alphabetical order: Pabstiella avenacea, P. leucosepala and Pleurothallis mathildae as synonyms of Pabstiella elegantula; Pabstiella cipoensis as a synonym of P. pristeoglossa; Pleurothallis magnicalcarata and Pabstiella mentigera as synonyms of P. calcarata; Pabstiella pterophora and Pleurothallis pterophora var. minor as synonyms of Pabstiella leucopyramis, and Pabstiella podoglossa as a synonym of P. versicolor. Lectotypes are selected for four species: Pleurothallis avenacea, P. mentigera, P. pristeoglossa and P. pterophora. An epitype is selected for Pleurothallis pristeoglossa. Illustrations and taxonomic discussions are also provided. 

Subtribe Pleurothallidinae with just over 5000 species is possibly the most species-rich of all orchids. It has been growing steadily for more than two centuries, but the last three decades have been especially active in terms of systematic and phylogenetic studies in the group. The growth in species numbers has been accompanied by the marked increase in generic and infrageneric concepts. Nevertheless, Pleurothallidinae are plagued with cases of convergent and divergent morphology, and phylogenetic relatedness is not always apparent. This opens the door to controversial changes in generic circumscriptions that are considered too inclusive by some and too exclusive by others. A grave consequence of these disagreements is the difficulty of assessing which and how many species actually belong to each genus. Here an attempt is made to place generic names among their close relatives as a first step to re-evaluating the whole subtribe. 

A revision of Myrosmodes from Peru is presented. Seven species are recognized for the country. Each species is described and illustrated on the basis of a revision of type material, protologues and Peruvian specimens. Its distribution within the country is assessed. Myrosmodes nervosa is recorded for first time in Peru. New synonyms are proposed: M. cleefii is included under M. nubigena, M. inaequalis and M. pumilio under M. paludosa, M. weberbaueri under M. gymnandra, and M. cochlearis under M. rhynchocarpa. A key to identify the seven recognized species is also provided. A lectotype is designated for Aa chiogena.