Open AccessSystematics and phylogeny of the Satyrium erectum group (Orchidaceae), with descriptions of two new species from the Karoo region of South Africa
Author(s) -
JOHNSON S. D.,
KURZWEIL H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8339.1998.tb02096.x
Subject(s) - biology , allopatric speciation , synapomorphy , systematics , monophyly , orchidaceae , sister group , taxon , ecology , zoology , taxonomy (biology) , clade , phylogenetics , population , biochemistry , demography , sociology , gene
Two spectacular new orchid species from the semi‐arid Karoo region of South Africa are described here. Both have been confused with Satyrium erectum Sw. in the past, yet have clear diagnostic characters which justify their recognition as distinct species. Satyrium pulchrumS. Johnson & Kurzweil sp. nov. , known only from an isolated granite inselberg in Namaqualand, appears to be the sister taxon to S. erectum, whereas Satyrium pallens S. Johnson & Kurzweil sp. nov. , known from several populations along the southern margins of the Karoo, has closer affinities to Saprium longicolleLindl. These four species form a distinct monophyletic group characterized by several synapomorphies. The allopatric distribution pattern and considerable divergence in floral characters of the sister species suggest that speciation involved shifts in the pollination system of geographically isolated populations.