Obituary: William Mark Whitten (1954−2019)

On April 11, 2019, Dr. William Mark Whitten, a prolific neotropical orchid biologist passed away unexpectedly. He leaves an extensive corpus of work focused on (but not limited to) orchid pollination and systematics, and over four thousand beautifully prepared herbarium specimens. Everyone that met Mark can agree that he was a wonderful human being, kind to everyone, incredibly knowledgeable and yet very humble. Always of a calm demeanor, great sense of humor, and willingness to help, Mark was an outstanding and relatable collaborator, and his publications (more than a hundred; see list below) are evidence of a productive and highly collaborative academic career.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de BiologíaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Jardín Botánico Lankester (JBL

Generic realignments in Maxillariinae (Orchidaceae)

Un reciente análisis filogenético de cuatro regiones de ADN para ca. 354 especies de la subtribu Maxillariinae indican fuertemente que el género Maxillaria, en su circunscripción tradicional, es altamente polifilético. Presentamos una nueva clasificación filogenética para Maxillariinae que reconoce 17 géneros. Los cambios necesarios incluyen: 1) la resurrección de los géneros Camaridium, Heterotaxis, y Ornithidium; 2) el reconocimiento de los recientes segregados genéricos Brasiliorchis (=Maxillaria sección Repentes), Christensonella (=Maxillaria sección Urceolatae), Nitidobulbon (en prensa), y una Sauvetrea recircunscrita (=Maxillaria sección Trigonae); 3) la adopción de los nuevos géneros Inti (=Maxillaria sección Polyphyllae), Mapinguari, Maxillariella (=Maxillaria secciones Ebulbes y Erectae), y Rhetinantha; 4) transferencias de Maxillaria sección Reflexae a Ornithidium, y Maxillaria sección Rufescens a Mormolyca; y 5) puesta en sinonimia de los géneros Adamanthus, Pseudomaxillaria, Psittacoglossum y Sepalosaccus (bajo Camaridium), Anthosiphon (bajo Cryptocentrum), Chrysocycnis (bajo Mormolyca), Dicrypta, Marsupiaria y Pentulops (bajo Heterotaxis), y Laricorchis, Neo-Urbania, y Siagonanthus (bajo Ornithidium). Algunos sinónimos nuevos al nivel de especie también son presentados.A recent phylogenetic analysis of four DNA regions for ca. 354 species of core Maxillariinae strongly indicate that the genus Maxillaria, as traditionally circumscribed, is grossly polyphyletic. We present a new phylogenetic classification for core Maxillariinae that recognizes 17 genera. Necessary realignments include: 1) resurrection of the genera Camaridium, Heterotaxis, and Ornithidium; 2) recognition of the recent segregates Brasiliorchis (=Maxillaria sect. Repentes), Christensonella (=Maxillaria sect. Urceolatae), Nitidobulbon (in press), and a recircumscribed Sauvetrea (=Maxillaria sect. Trigonae); 3) adoption of the new genera Inti (=Maxillaria sect. Polyphyllae), Mapinguari, Maxillariella (=Maxillaria sections Ebulbes and Erectae), and Rhetinantha; 4) transfers from Maxillaria sect. Reflexae to Ornithidium, and Maxillaria sect. Rufescens to Mormolyca; and 5) synonymizing of the genera Adamanthus, Pseudomaxillaria, Psittacoglossum, and Sepalosaccus (under Camaridium), Anthosiphon (under Cryptocentrum), Chrysocycnis (under Mormolyca), Dicrypta, Marsupiaria, and Pentulops (under Heterotaxis), and Laricorchis, Neo-urbania, and Siagonanthus (under Ornithidium). Some new synonyms at the specific level are also presented.National Science Foundation/[DEB-0234064]/NSF/Estados UnidosFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/[01/08958-1]/FAPESP/BrasilConsejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología/[]/CONACYT/MéxicoRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew/[]//InglaterraAmerican Orchid Society/[]/AOS/Estados UnidosUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Jardín Botánico Lankester (JBL

Preliminary molecular phylogenetics of Sobralia and relatives (Orchidaceae: Sobralieae)

With over 200 species, the orchid tribe Sobralieae is a major constituent of the Neotropical flora. As currently circumscribed, the tribe includes four genera: Elleanthus, Epilyna, Sertifera, and Sobralia. Most species of these four genera typically produce long, cane-like stems but differ drastically in flower size and inflorescence structure. DNA sequence data support the monophyly of Elleanthus, Epilyna, and Sertifera but not Sobralia, which is a polyphyletic assemblage traditionally placed together due to relatively large flower size. Details of inflorescence structure provide characters that can easily distinguish the different clades of Sobralia. The misleading characteristic of flower size is probably due to at least several shifts in pollination syndrome within the tribe. With few exceptions, species of Sobralia predominantly offer no reward and are pollinated by bees. Elleanthus and Sertifera are small-flowered and mostly pollinated by hummingbirds with legitimate rewards. Nothing is known of pollination in Epilyna. Understanding the evolution of shifts in pollination syndrome will require more empirical observations of pollination within Sobralieae. In addition, increased taxon sampling and improved phylogenetic resolution are needed before generic realignments are made.Con más de 200 especies, la tribu de orquídeas Sobralieae es un componente importante de la riqueza florística de los neotrópicos. Actualmente esta tribu está constituída por cuatro géneros: Elleanthus, Epilyna, Sertifera, y Sobralia. Las plantas de éstos cuatro géneros generalmente producen tallos largos como cañas, pero difieren en forma drástica en el tamaño de la flor y la estructura de las inflorescencias. Datos de ADN apoyan la monofilia de Elleanthus, Epilyna, y Sertifera, pero no de Sobralia. Sobralia es un ensamblaje polifilético, tradicionalmente circunscrito por el gran tamaño de sus flores. Los detalles de la morfología floral y la posición de la inflorescencia proporcionan caracteres que fácilmente permiten distinguir los diferentes clados de Sobralia. El tamaño de la flor y ciertas otras características superficiales probablemente han sufrido cambios evolutivos en respuesta a cambios en el síndrome de polinización dentro de la tribu. La mayoría de las especies de Sobralia no ofrecen ninguna recompensa y son polinizadas por abejas en busca de néctar. Elleanthus y Sertifera tienen flores pequeñas que aparentemente son polinizadas por colibríes, en estos dos géneros las flores ofrecen néctar. No se conoce nada sobre la polinización de Epilyna. Mas observaciones empíricas de los polinizadores de Sobralieae son necesarias para entender la evolución de los síndromes de polinización, y requerirá un mayor muestreo de especies y una mejor resolución filogenética antes de realizar recircumscripciones genéricas.National Science Foundation/[DEB-234064]/NSF/Estados UnidosUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Jardín Botánico Lankester (JBL

Generic realignments in Maxillariinae (Orchidaceae): Corrigenda et adenda

UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Jardín Botánico Lankester (JBL

Biodiversity conservation: local and global consequences of the application of “rights of nature” by Ecuador

In 2008, Ecuador recognized the Constitutional Rights of Nature in a global first. This recognition implies a major shift in the human-nature relationship, from one between a subject with agency (humans) and an exploitable object (nature), to a more equilibrated relationship. However, the lack of a standard legal framework has left room for subjective interpretations and variable implementation. The recent widespread concessioning of pristine ecosystems to mining industries has set up an unprecedented conflict and test of these rights. Currently, a landmark case involving Los Cedros Protected Forest and mining companies has reached the Constitutional Court of Ecuador. If Ecuador’s highest Court rules in favor of Los Cedros and the Rights of Nature, it would set a legal precedent with enormous impact on biological conservation. Such a policy shift offers a novel conservation strategy, through citizen oversight and action. A ruling against Los Cedros and the Rights of Nature, while a major setback for biodiversity conservation, would be taken in stride by the active social movement supporting these goals, with the case likely moving into international courts. Meanwhile, extractive activities would continue and expand, with known consequences for biodiversity

A collaboratively derived environmental research agenda for Galapagos

Galápagos is one of the most pristine archipelagos in the world and its conservation relies upon research and sensible management. In recent decades both the interest in, and the needs of, the islands have increased, yet the funds and capacity for necessary research have remained limited. It has become, therefore, increasingly important to identify areas of priority research to assist decision-making in Galápagos conservation. This study identified 50 questions considered priorities for future research and management. The exercise involved the collaboration of policy makers, practitioners and researchers from more than 30 different organisations. Initially, 360 people were consulted to generate 781 questions. An established process of preworkshop voting and three rounds to reduce and reword the questions, followed by a two-day workshop, was used to produce the final 50 questions. The most common issues raised by this list of questions were human population growth, climate change and the impact of invasive alien species. These results have already been used by a range of organisations and politicians and are expected to provide the basis for future research on the islands so that its sustainability may be enhanced. </jats:p

Mapping density, diversity and species-richness of the Amazon tree flora

Using 2.046 botanically-inventoried tree plots across the largest tropical forest on Earth, we mapped tree species-diversity and tree species-richness at 0.1-degree resolution, and investigated drivers for diversity and richness. Using only location, stratified by forest type, as predictor, our spatial model, to the best of our knowledge, provides the most accurate map of tree diversity in Amazonia to date, explaining approximately 70% of the tree diversity and species-richness. Large soil-forest combinations determine a significant percentage of the variation in tree species-richness and tree alpha-diversity in Amazonian forest-plots. We suggest that the size and fragmentation of these systems drive their large-scale diversity patterns and hence local diversity. A model not using location but cumulative water deficit, tree density, and temperature seasonality explains 47% of the tree species-richness in the terra-firme forest in Amazonia. Over large areas across Amazonia, residuals of this relationship are small and poorly spatially structured, suggesting that much of the residual variation may be local. The Guyana Shield area has consistently negative residuals, showing that this area has lower tree species-richness than expected by our models. We provide extensive plot meta-data, including tree density, tree alpha-diversity and tree species-richness results and gridded maps at 0.1-degree resolution

Mapping density, diversity and species-richness of the Amazon tree flora

Using 2.046 botanically-inventoried tree plots across the largest tropical forest on Earth, we mapped tree species-diversity and tree species-richness at 0.1-degree resolution, and investigated drivers for diversity and richness. Using only location, stratified by forest type, as predictor, our spatial model, to the best of our knowledge, provides the most accurate map of tree diversity in Amazonia to date, explaining approximately 70% of the tree diversity and species-richness. Large soil-forest combinations determine a significant percentage of the variation in tree species-richness and tree alpha-diversity in Amazonian forest-plots. We suggest that the size and fragmentation of these systems drive their large-scale diversity patterns and hence local diversity. A model not using location but cumulative water deficit, tree density, and temperature seasonality explains 47% of the tree species-richness in the terra-firme forest in Amazonia. Over large areas across Amazonia, residuals of this relationship are small and poorly spatially structured, suggesting that much of the residual variation may be local. The Guyana Shield area has consistently negative residuals, showing that this area has lower tree species-richness than expected by our models. We provide extensive plot meta-data, including tree density, tree alpha-diversity and tree species-richness results and gridded maps at 0.1-degree resolution