 |
| Liparis pingxiangensis L. Li & H. F. Yan
in Li & Yan, 2013.
|
Abstract
In the present study, we formally describe Liparis pingxiangensis as a new species from Guangxi, China on the basis of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. It is easily distinguished from closely related species by strongly curved column without column wings, and broadly rhombic-elliptic lip with 2 uncinate calli at the base. In particular, it differs most markedly from its congeners in possessing two pollinia attached by long and prominent caudicles (not stipes), to a distinct sticky disc. This type of pollinarium, as far as we know, is not found in any other species of Liparis, and is also unique among the orchids with waxy pollinia. We then proceeded to a phylogenetic analysis to ascertain the systematic position of this enigmatic species. Molecular study based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid matK DNA sequence data supports L. pingxiangensis as a distinct species, which forms an independent lineage sister to L. nervosa and its allies (93% BS, 1.00 BPP). In the light of previous work, the findings have important implications for a better understanding of the well-supported pattern mainly based on vegetative features in Malaxideae.
 |
| Figure 3. Morphology of Liparis pingxiangensis (A–D, G) and allied species L. nervosa (E–F). A. inflorescence, B. flower, front view, C. flower, lateral view, D. gynostemium including anther, clinandrium and viscidium attached to apex of rostellum, lateral view, E. two pairs of close pollinia, F. two pairs of separate pollinia, G. pollinarium including pollinia, caudicles and viscidium.
Scale bars, 3(B–C); 1 mm (D); 0.3 mm (E–G).
|
 |
| Figure 2. Liparis pingxiangensis. A. habit, B. flower, frontal view, C. flower, lateral view, D. bract, E. dorsal sepal, F. petal, G. lateral sepal, H. lip, I. column, lateral view, J. column without anther cap, ventral view, K. anther cap, L. pollinarium.
Drawn by Yun-Xiao Liu. Figure
|
Liparis pingxiangensis L. Li & H. F. Yan, sp. nov.
Type: — CHINA. Guangxi: Pingxiang, mixed deciduous forests, terrestrial in moist and shady grassy slopes, rare, collected 23 June 2011, flowered and pressed from plant cultivated in an experimental greenhouse of SCBG, 2 Apr 2012, L. Li 151 (HOLOTYPE: IBSC).
Species affinis L. nervosae (Thunb.) Lindl., a qua labiis late rhombico-ellipticus, callis uncinnatis praeditis, columnis arcuatis sine alis, polliniis duobus caudiculis longis affixis cum viscidio magno recedit.
Distribution, habitat and ecology: Liparis pingxiangensis is terrestrial, forming more or less scattered colonies on shady and damp areas with small ravines, in wet to most soils and humus, on the steeper slopes, at elevations of around 800 m in the mixed deciduous forest of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Flowering occurs in early spring, from early until late April. Up to now, it has not been observed in fruits.
Etymology: The species is named after the site of its first discovery, Pingxiang, Guangxi province, China.
Lin Li and Haifei Yan. 2013. A Remarkable New Species of Liparis (Orchidaceae) from China and Its Phylogenetic Implications. PLoS ONE. 8(11): e78112. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078112
