Abstract Detail

Systematics Section / ASPT

Whitten, W. M. [1], Williams, N. H. [1], Atwood, John T. [2].

Molecular systematics and generic concepts in Maxillariinae (Orchidaceae), and a polyclave key to Maxillaria of Costa Rica.

The subtribe Maxillariinae includes ±600-700 species currently divided into eight genera. Maxillaria ranks fourth in species-richness among genera of neotropical Orchidaceae but is still poorly known. These plants are often large, conspicuous, and numerically important components of the epiphytic vegetation in the Neotropics. We are using nrITS and plastid data to estimate relationships within Maxillariinae; we will present results based o­n sampling to date.
We are also constructing a computerized polyclave key to Maxillaria of Costa Rica, using LUCID software (CBIT, Univ. of Queensland). We have adapted Atwood’s treatment of Maxillaria for Flora Costaricensis for the LUCID key, and each species is illustrated by line drawings and color photographs. The key will be freely distributed by CD and by internet. We plan to expand the key to include all central American taxa, and eventually to the whole genus.

1 - University of Florida, Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-7800, USA
2 - P.O. Box 566, Woodstock, Vermont, 05091, USA

Keywords:
Orchidaceae
nrDNA ITS
Maxillaria
LUCID.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-77
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:267