Pleurothallis pembertonii (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae), a new species from northwestern Ecuador in the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot
Key Points
This study aims to describe and illustrate a newly identified orchid species from Ecuador's montane cloud forests.
Described Pleurothallis pembertonii based on morphological characteristics.
Illustrated key features differentiating it from similar species.
Conducted field observations in the Dracula Reserve, Carchi Province.
P. pembertonii is distinguished by its vinaceous, oblong-subsigmoid petals and a trilobed lip with a unique glenion.
The species is currently known from only one locality, emphasizing its microendemism.
The orchid faces threats from local mining activities in its habitat.
Abstract
A new species of Pleurothallis (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae) from the lower montane cloud forests of northwestern Ecuador is described and illustrated. Pleurothallis pembertonii M.F.Monteros & Mark Wilson, sp. nov ., belongs to Pleurothallis subgen. Pleurothallis sect. Pleurothallis , subsect. Acroniae , ser. Amphigyae , and is most similar in appearance to P. forceps-cancri , from which it can be readily distinguished by its vinaceous, oblong-subsigmoid petals that are long-attenuate and by a sagittate-trilobed lip bearing a well-developed reniform glenion and two small divergent basal keels. The new species is currently known only from a single locality within the Dracula Reserve, in the western Andean foothills of Carchi Province, a region characterized by high levels of microendemism and increasing pressure from mining activities.
Pleurothallis pembertonii (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae), a new species from northwestern Ecuador in the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot | Synapse
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