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Variation in the Floral Morphology of Prosthechea karwinskii (Orchidaceae), a Mexican Endemic Orchid at Risk

Authors :
María Hipólita Santos-Escamilla
Gabriela Cruz-Lustre
Manuel Cuéllar-Martínez
Luicita Lagunez-Rivera
Rodolfo Solano
Source :
Plants, Vol 13, Iss 14, p 1984 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Prosthechea karwinskii is an orchid endemic to Mexico, threatened by the destruction of its habitat and the extraction of specimens to meet its demand for ornamental and religious use. Most of its populations, including the most locally abundant ones, are found in Oaxaca state. Variations in some floral traits have been observed in these populations. We implemented a morphometric analysis to assess their floral variation and identify the most significant characters in the morphological patterns of this orchid. Floral samples were collected from 17 populations of P. karwinskii in Oaxaca, as well as from specimens used as ornaments during Easter in an Oaxacan community (Zaachila), whose origin is unknown. Sampling of natural populations covered the environmental, geographic, and morphological variation of the species. We performed an analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA), canonical variate analysis (CVA), and cluster analysis, including 185 individuals and 45 variables (12 of them were discarded in the multivariate analyses due to high correlation). Characters of the column, lateral sepal, and labellum were most informative for the observed morphological patterns. Albarradas showed the greatest morphological differentiation, mainly due to the column. In general, individuals from the same locality tended to overlap more, especially the populations of Jaltianguis and Yahuiche, which were different from the geographically close population of Etla. Teposcolula presented the highest values in perianth characters, unlike Sola_Rancho Viejo. The specimens recovered from religious ornaments were morphologically more similar to those from Yanhuitlan and Etla. This morphometric analysis identified characters as potential taxonomic markers for P. karwinskii and related species, showing its potential to associate specimens of unknown origin with their probable geographical region. Our work encourages working on collaborative conservation strategies to ensure the long-term permanence of both the species and its traditional uses.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22237747
Volume :
13
Issue :
14
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Plants
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.9944aa9708944cfa903499db830cd31
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141984