Afropectinariella (Vandeae, Orchidaceae), a new genus of the Angraecum alliance.

Tariq Stévart,Murielle Simo-Droissart,Vincent Droissart,Bonaventure Sonké

doi:10.3897/phytokeys.96.23933

Abstract

A recent phylogenetic study showed that species assigned to the newly recognised genus Pectinariella Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka (previously treated as Angraecum Bory sect. Pectinaria Benth.) are polyphyletic, comprising a clade with species primarily in Madagascar and the Western Indian Ocean islands (including the type) and another non-sister clade whose members occur in continental Africa and the Gulf of Guinea islands. In order to render Pectinariella monophyletic, the five continental African species must therefore be removed. A new genus, Afropectinariella M.Simo & Stévart, is described and the following combinations are made: Afropectinariella atlantica (Stévart & Droissart) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella doratophylla (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella gabonensis (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella pungens (Schltr.) M.Simo & Stévart and Afropectinariella subulata (Lindl.) M.Simo & Stévart.

Highlights

Since its description, the delimitation of Angraecum Bory (1804) has been controversial (Garay 1973)
The studies of Carlsward et al (2006) on the phylogenetics of leafless angraecoids and of Micheneau et al (2008) on the biogeography of Mascarene angraecoid orchids have shown the polyphyly of Angraecum and of at least five of the 19 recognised sections
We have removed species from continental Africa and the Gulf of Guinea islands from Pectinariella, its delimitation remains open to further discussion

Summary

Introduction

The delimitation of Angraecum Bory (1804) has been controversial (Garay 1973). African species of Angraecum belong to a group clearly distinct from that of members of the genus in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean islands (Micheneau et al 2008). Based on molecular and morphological data, Szlachetko et al (2013) raised most of the sections, sensu Schlechter (1918) and Garay (1973), to the rank of genus, albeit with a different placement for some species.

Results

Conclusion