The Encyclia ambigua complex (Laeliinae, Orchidaceae), a synopsis and notes on Encyclia virens and Epidendrum alatum

Abstract

A synopsis of the Encyclia ambigua complex, a member of the E. ceratistes clade, is presented. It is composed of three species, namely E. ambigua, E. trachychila, and E. dressleri. These taxa are restricted to the southern part of Megamexico in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua and occur mostly in oak-pine or broadleaf evergreen forests, or more rarely, in tropical dry forests at elevations of (600–)1,250–1,700(–2,000) m. The recently described Encyclia alborubra is treated as a synonym of E. ambigua. Iconography pertinent to the understanding of the species, relevant discussion, and a key to the taxa involved are provided. In addition, we provide notes on Encyclia virens, attempting to decipher this nomenclatural puzzle, and on Epidendrum alatum Batem., to present a protologue that predates the one that is usually cited.

Characters evolution of Encyclia (Laeliinae-Orchidaceae) reveals a complex pattern not phylogenetically determined: insights from macro- and micromorphology

“…Encyclia s.s. (sensu Higgins et al [ 2 ]) can be characterized by a lip bearing a cymbiform callus and a variable apex and column with two lateral wings (= staminodes) and an elongate filament giving the gynostemium an appearance of the three-toothed apex. Recent phylogenetic analysis of the genus utilizing nuclear and plastid DNA sequences [ 19 – 21 ] revealed that Encyclia is composed of lineages that are strongly correlated geographically, with some clades fully restricted to particular biogeographical areas of Neotropics. These clades are confined to such areas as Megamexico II (e.g., the E. adenocarpos clade), the extra-Megamexican portion of the Central American Isthmus (Costa Rica and Panama; e.g., the E. mooreana alliance), the West Indies (e.g., the E. plicata alliance), northern South America, the Andean foothills, the Guiana Shield, the Amazon Basin, or several areas of Brazil (e.g., the E. argentinensis alliance) such as the Mata Atlantica, the Cerrado, or the Caatinga ([ 21 ] and references therein).…”

“…Recent phylogenetic analysis of the genus utilizing nuclear and plastid DNA sequences [ 19 – 21 ] revealed that Encyclia is composed of lineages that are strongly correlated geographically, with some clades fully restricted to particular biogeographical areas of Neotropics. These clades are confined to such areas as Megamexico II (e.g., the E. adenocarpos clade), the extra-Megamexican portion of the Central American Isthmus (Costa Rica and Panama; e.g., the E. mooreana alliance), the West Indies (e.g., the E. plicata alliance), northern South America, the Andean foothills, the Guiana Shield, the Amazon Basin, or several areas of Brazil (e.g., the E. argentinensis alliance) such as the Mata Atlantica, the Cerrado, or the Caatinga ([ 21 ] and references therein). Only a few lineages of Encyclia (e.g., the Encyclia ceratistes species complex), and only a handful of species (e.g., Encyclia cordigera (Kunth) Dressler) occur in two or more of these major areas [ 21 ].…”

“…The other floral character separating both genera are the texture of segments, which are relatively thin in the former, and thick and rigid in the latter. There is growing evidence of the role played by interspecific natural hybridization within the genus, which has likely been a diversity-increasing factor during the evolution of Encyclia ([ 21 ] and references therein).…”