N/A

A new species of Pleurothallis from the Cordillera del Cóndor in southeast Ecuador is described and illustrated. In addition, information concerning its distribution, habitat, and phenology is provided. Pleurothallis ariana-dayanae is similar to P. paquishae but differs in the size of the flower, the dorsal sepal 6.5–7.8 mm long, the petals slightly falcate, linear, microscopically verrucose-papillose on the dorsal surface, minutely denticulate along the margins; the lip is ovate-elliptic with, denticulate-ciliate margins, with a slightly bilobed glenion. Pleurothallis ariana-dayanae is also compared with P. scabrilinguis, and P. applanata, an endemic species to Ecuador.

Comparettia bennettii, a previously known species from Peru and Bolivia, is here recorded in the premontane forests of southeastern Ecuador. We provide a Lankester Composite Digital Plate (LCDP), photos, taxonomic comments, and an updated description of the species. Key Words: Amazonia, Cordillera del Cóndor, premontane forests, Stigmatorthos, southeastern Ecuador, taxonomy

A new species of Octomeria from southern Ecuador was found during an investigation on the orchids of the Cordillera del Cóndor. Octomeria candidae is described and illustrated; likewise, information on its distribution, habitat and conservation status is provided. The new proposed taxon is morphologically similar to O. estrellensis, from which it differs by its creeping habit, the narrowly ovate, long-acuminate sepals and petals, and the yellow lip with an acute apex. Key Words: Mining activities, New orchid species, Octomeria estrellensis, Orchid conservation, Zamora Chinchipe

A new Masdevallia species from eastern Ecuador, is described, illustrated and compared with similar species. The species is most similar to Masdevallia aphanes; both species are small plants for the genus with weak inflorescences that bear striped flowers with acaudate sepals. The horizontal inflorescences with yellow flowers striped with red-brown and the convex, subpandurate lip of Masdevallia rubileoixchelorum immediately distinguishes it from the similar M. aphanes by the abaxially deep sandal-shaped lip and for the ovary with undulate-dentate ribs which are almost keeled.