First Guatemalan record of natural hybridisation between Neotropical species of the Lady’s Slipper orchid (Orchidaceae, Cypripedioideae)

Abstract

The first natural hybrid in the sectionIrapeanaof the orchid genusCypripediumis described and illustrated based on Guatemalan material. A molecular evaluation of the discovery is provided. Specimens with intermediate flowers betweenC. irapeanumandC. dickinsonianumwithin ITS andXdhsequences have the signal sequence of both these species. The analysis of plastid sequences indicated that the maternal line isC. irapeanum. Information about the ecology, embryology and conservation status of the novelty is given, together with a distribution map of its parental species,C. irapeanumandC. dickinsonianum. A discussion of the hybridization betweenCypripediumspecies is presented. The potential hybrid zones between the representatives ofCypripediumsectionIrapeanawhich were estimated based on the results of ecological niche modeling analysis are located in the Maya Highlands (C. dickinsonianumandC. irapeanum) and the eastern part of Southern Sierra Madre (C. molleandC. irapeanum). Moreover, all threeCypripediumspecies could inhabit Cordillera Neovolcánica according to the obtained models; however, it should be noticed that this region is well-distanced from the edges of the known geographical range ofC. molle.