Populationsstatistische Analysen bestätigen die Heterogeneität vonOphrys „arachnitiformis“ (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

Statistical population analyses have been carried out on so-calledOphrys “arachnitiformis”, partly sympatricO. sphecodes s. l. as well as on other species ofOphrys (O. holosericea, O. exaltata, O. apulica, O. cornuta, O. biscutella, O. bertolonii, O. bertoloniiformis.). Altogether 63 populations with 521 individuals were studied in regard to 54 morphological parameters. — It can be shown thatO. arachnitiformis is an extremely heterogeneous assemblage which includes taxa of most diverse origin, different degrees of stability and nomenclatorial rank. Only common trait is their very diverse relationships withO. specodes s.l.—The basionymO. arachnitiformis Gren. & Phil. refers to a colour variant ofO. sphecodes Mill. subsp.sphecodes only, and is not applicable to other segments of the assemblage.

A late flowering, morphologically and biologically well isolated group of populations from southern France without any perceptible hybrid influence is established as a new species:Ophrys splendida Gölz & Reinhard. Populations from north and central Italy with distinct characters but hybrid influences fromO. holosericea/O. exaltata are calledO. tyrrhena Gölz & Reinhard.O. morisii, an endemic to Sardinia, represents an independent species of still obscure evolution. The hybrid interpretation ofO. catalaunica is statistically corroborated, but somewhat modified. For the remaining segments ofO. “arachnitiformis” investigated (from Castilia, Dalmatia, and the Monte Gargano) no formal taxonomic proposals are made, but some suggestions about their genesis are possible.