1
|
Timsina B, Kindlmann P, Subedi S, Khatri S, Rokaya MB. Epiphytic Orchid Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient in Central Nepal. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10071381. [PMID: 34371584 PMCID: PMC8309340 DOI: 10.3390/plants10071381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Epiphytic orchids are common in subtropical forests, but little is known about the factors that determine their diversity. We surveyed two sites (north-facing Phulchowki and south-facing Shivapuri hills), in the sub-tropical forest in the Kathmandu valley, central Nepal. Along five transects per site, spanning an altitudinal gradient of 1525–2606 m a.s.l., we recorded all epiphytic orchids and the host species on which they were growing. The data were analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM) and redundancy analysis (RDA). Species richness significantly decreased with increasing altitude and was higher in larger hosts and in places with high temperature. Species composition was affected by altitude, distance from the forest edge, host type, and precipitation. This study indicates that the most important factors affecting epiphytic orchid diversity was altitude, even if other factors were associated with patterns in composition. The low-altitude habitats with high species diversity are the best places for epiphytic orchids in this region. The altitudinal species richness and patterns in composition revealed by this study provide a baseline for further studies on epiphytic orchids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binu Timsina
- Global Change Research Centre, Department of Biodiversity Research, Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 4a, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic;
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 12801 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (B.T.); (M.B.R.)
| | - Pavel Kindlmann
- Global Change Research Centre, Department of Biodiversity Research, Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 4a, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic;
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, 12801 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sajan Subedi
- Botanics Nepal, Annapurna Marg-32, Kathmandu 44604, Nepal;
| | - Subhash Khatri
- National Herbarium and Plant Laboratories, Post Box No. 3708, Godawari-5, Lalitpur 44709, Nepal;
| | - Maan B. Rokaya
- Global Change Research Centre, Department of Biodiversity Research, Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 4a, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic;
- Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 25243 Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (B.T.); (M.B.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pandey TR, Jin XH. Taxonomic revision of Habenaria josephi group (sect. Diphyllae s.l.) in the Pan-Himalaya. PHYTOKEYS 2021; 175:109-136. [PMID: 33889051 PMCID: PMC8044066 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.175.59849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Species of the Habenaria josephi group in the Pan-Himalaya region are revised, based on their morphological characters and results of previous molecular phylogenetics. Eight distinctive species are recognised; key to the species, taxonomic descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps are provided. Habenaria josephi is re-instated, based on morphological and molecular evidence; H. wolongensis is synonymised with H. aitchisonii, a neotype for H. tibetica and the lectotypes for H. balfouriana, H. fargesii, H. glaucifolia and H. clarkei are designated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tirtha Raj Pandey
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, ChinaInstitute of Botany, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- National Herbarium and Plant Laboratories, Godawari, Lalitpur, NepalNational Herbarium and Plant LaboratoriesLalitpurNepal
| | - Xiao-Hua Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, ChinaInstitute of Botany, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|