Pachygenium laurense (Orchidaceae, Spiranthinae), a new orchid species from Argentina—morphological evidence and phylogenetic reconstruction

Abstract

Background Pachygenium embraces a group of terrestrial species formerly placed in Pelexia sensu lato. The genus currently comprises some 60 species, most of which are known from the southern parts of Brazil and Paraguay, with few species distributed in the Andean countries—only four species have been recorded from Argentina so far. In Jujuy Province, Argentina a new species of Pachygenium was found during our fieldwork. The aim of this article was to provide morphological and molecular evidence for its membership in this genus. Methods Materials from specimens were collected in the field and examined by classical taxonomic and molecular biological techniques, e.g., PCR and sequencing DNA. Phylogenetic reconstruction was performed by maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference. Results Pachygenium laurense from Argentina is described and illustrated based on morphological evidence and its taxonomic position was confirmed by phylogenetic analyses. A new combination for Pachygenium gutturosa is also proposed. A key for identification is provided for the Pachygenium species occurring in Argentina. Conclusion Pachygenium laurense is the fifth species of the genus recorded from Argentina.

Schiedeella bajaverapacensis (Orchidaceae, Spiranthinae), a New Orchid Species from Guatemala

“…The total volume of the sample was 25 µL, containing 1 µL template DNA (∼10–100 ng) and 0.5 µL of 10 µM of each primer. Parameters for the PCR reaction for nrITS (ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2) and for the plastid region trn L- trn F were the same as Martin et al [ 18 ]. Tested products of the amplification were purified by applying the Clean-Up Concentrator Kit (A&A Biotechnology, Poland).…”

Assembly and comparative analysis of the complete multichromosomal mitochondrial genome of Cymbidium ensifolium, an orchid of high economic and ornamental value

“…These characteristics make orchids one of the most evolutionarily derived groups of plants [5]. Current research on orchids primarily focuses on discovering new species, breeding techniques, symbiotic relationships with fungi and other microorganisms, species identification techniques, gene research, chloroplast genomes, and a limited number of genome studies [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. However, research on the mitochondrial genomes of orchids is relatively scarce [14][15][16].…”