Monika M. Lipinska

This literature review aims to synthesise existing knowledge on research on pollination of orchid species in Guatemala. Orchids, known for their diverse and specialised interactions with pollinators, play a key role in the ecosystems of this Central American country. As a base for our research, we have used the orchid checklist published in 2018 where more than 1200 taxa have been listed. Then we conducted a systematic search of academic databases, including, but not limited to PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and relevant botanical databases. From 1231 orchid species reported to occur in Guatemala and classified in 221 genera, we have found data on pollination of only 98 taxa, classified in 71 genera. Through an exhaustive survey of the relevant scientific literature, this review intends to provide a comprehensive summary of the available data, highlighting gaps in current knowledge and suggesting directions for future research. Research on pollination in tropical orchids presents a formidable challenge due to the immense diversity of species, the intricacies of pollination mechanisms, the elusive nature of pollinators and the susceptibility of these ecosystems to environmental changes. Despite these challenges, the importance of unravelling these mysteries is underscored by the critical role orchids play in tropical ecosystems and their potential implications for conservation and biodiversity.

Guatemala is recognized for its diverse and rich flora and fauna. It is estimated that over 1200 orchid species, classified in 223 genera, are known to occur in this rather small, yet megadiverse country. While studying the diversity of this plant group in the department of Baja Verapaz, we found individuals that clearly belonged to the genus Schiedeella, but whose features did not fit any previously known species. At that time, nine terrestrial taxon representatives were known to occur in Guatemala. We conducted the morphological analysis in accordance with the standard procedures of classical taxonomy. For phylogenetic reconstruction, 59 sequences of the ITS region and 48 of the trnL-trnF marker were applied. The topology of trees was obtained based on the Bayesian inference. Schiedeella bajaverapacensis was described and illustrated based on morphological evidence, and its taxonomic position was confirmed by phylogenetic analyses. The new entity is the 10th Schiedeella representative known from Guatemala.

Orchids are widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a whole range of different health conditions, and representatives of the Neotropical subtribe Maxillariinae are not an exception. They are utilized, for instance, for their spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. In this work, we analyze the literature concerning the chemical composition of the plant extracts and secretions of this subtribe’s representatives published between 1991 and 2022. Maxillariinae is one of the biggest taxa within the orchid family; however, to date, only 19 species have been investigated in this regard and, as we report, they produce 62 semiochemicals of medical potential. The presented review is the first summary of biologically active compounds found in Maxillariinae.

Nerviliais an orchid genus of approximately 80 ephemeral taxa that are widely distributed throughout the subtropical and tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and Oceania. Scientific information and research materials gathered from Bali are scarce. While trekking around Bali, we encountered a few representatives of this taxon. This led to further investigation of the genus and its occurrence in Bali, which is summarized in this article. New records ofN. concolorandN. punctatafrom Central Bali have enriched previously known sites, and as species that appear ephemeral often go unnoticed this is a valuable contribution to the understanding of the geographic distribution of this genus.

Bali and Lombok are well known as popular touristic destinations. Both islands are accessible for potential floristic research, but surprisingly, information on their orchid flora is rather scarce and random. During our visits, among other orchid groups, we had an opportunity to observe several representatives of the tribe Malaxideae, which is considered to be one of the biggest and most interesting orchid groups with over 1700 taxa (including synonyms). In this paper, we present the first attempt at organizing the knowledge about these unique, often underestimated, orchids in Bali and Lombok, and we report several new records for both islands. For Bali, there are six from the genus Crepidium and four from Liparis sensu lato, and for Lombok, one from Crepidium and three from Liparis sensu lato.

Neotropical genus Maxillaria Ruiz & Pav. belongs to one of the most diverse and species-rich groups of orchids. Several of its representatives are popular, horticultural plants with large and showy flowers, often nicely fragranced. It is not uncommon that some distinctly colored individuals are introduced to the commercial market under names of similar, more or less related species, as informal varieties or color forms, largely causing confusion. While investigating the diversity of Maxillaria in Ecuador, we have encountered plants that were commercially referred to as M. sanderiana xanthina. In the course of conducted morphological and micromorphological analyses, we concluded that it is a new, separate species and hereby, we describe it as M. anacatalinaportillae.

Crepidium is a large genus of mainly pantropical orchids. The lips of its flowers are upwardly directed and do not serve as landing platforms for pollinators. This role is assumed by the dorsal sepal and/or gynostemium. Information about the pollination and floral morphology of this genus is scarce. To date, no papers have been published on these topics. Field observations have revealed that the flowers are visited by small flies, midges, fruit flies, other small dipterans, ants, spiders, and mites. Preliminary observations revealed at least two forms of small liquid droplets secreted on the lip surface of Crepidium species: simple secretions from epidermal cells, and cell sap released upon the rupturing of raphide-producing cells. Further research revealed that this was the first time liquid secretion was recorded in this genus. Floral secretions were subjected to sequential organic solvent extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Floral parts were investigated by means of scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and histochemical tests. The presence of liquid droplets on the lip of Crepidium, the presence of a food reward, and the sequence of raphide development are reported here for the first time.

Masdevallia Ruiz. & Pav. in the broad concept comprises about 350 species distributed from southern Mexico to southern Brazil with the highest diversity in the Andes of Ecuador and Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Until now, only six species have been found in Guatemala. While studying the diversity of the orchid flora in this megadiverse country, we came across plants that in terms of morphological characteristics, were intermediate between M. floribunda Lindl. and M. tuerckheimii Ames. All three taxa are pollinated by two so far undescribed species of Zygothrica fruit flies. In the presented work, we describe the new entity as a new natural hybrid. This is the first record of the hybridization within the genus Masdevallia from Guatemala.