Octomeria candidae (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), a new species from the Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador

Abstract

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

Orchid Diversity at Three Elevations in the Mountain Sandstone Plateaus of the Cordillera del CóndorEcuador

“…Thus, the Cordillera del Cóndor is characterized by a high diversity of these genera (Maxillaria, Epidendrum, Pleurothallis, and Stelis); however, a considerable number of other genera with potential species new to science [9] have been scarcely studied. For instance, among the species reported in the plots, it was possible to publish three new species of genera: Octomeria [25,66], one Phloeophila [67], and one Pleurothallis [68], as well as new records of Comparettia bennettii [69] for Ecuador. This is because there are no studies on the sandstone plateaus of the Cordillera de Shagmi.…”

“…According to Schulenberg and Awbrey [9], this site has the greatest diversity of vascular plant species, including orchids [10][11][12][13][14]. For instance, in recent years, fieldwork conducted in the Ecuadorian side of the region allowed the description of new orchid species [15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. However, only a rapid assessment of the Alto Nangaritza Basin River flora registered 13 species of orchids [22].…”