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

ABSTRACT: Encyclia is the second-largest genus in the neotropical subtribe Laeliinae (Orchidaceae) and has more than 150 species, which are characterized by fairly consistent flower morphology. Its taxonomy and species boundaries, however, seem to be still under debate. In the present study, we first examined the lip micromorphology of 61 species of Encyclia sensu stricto. We correlated our results with external flower morphology and phylogenetic analyses performed on a combined dataset that included both nuclear (ITS, Xdh, PhyC) and plastid markers (ycf1, rpl32, and trnL-trnF). Phylogenetic reconstruction showed that Encyclia sensu stricto species form a coherent, monophyletic group. However, it is difficult to determine the relationships between the different groups within one larger clade. The gr

SUBMITTER: Lipinska MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10731901 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature