In this study we tested the cross-amplification of 33 microsatellite loci previously developed for two closely related Neotropical orchid genera (Epidendrum and Laelia). A set of ten loci were polymorphic across five examined species (20 individuals each) with 2 to 15 alleles per locus. The mean expected and observed heterozygosity (average across species) ranged from 0.34 to 0.82 and from 0.27...

Orchids are members of the family Orchidaceae, one of the largest families of flowering plants. There are an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 orchid species, which occupy wide ranges of ecological habitats and exhibit highly specialized morphological, structural, and physiological characteristics (Dressler, 1990). In particular, the most spectacular evolution is shown in reproductive biology. The pro...

By Marion Allen A central theme of President Bush’s inaugural address was the concern with decreasing levels of civility in our society. Whatever your political persuasion, I think you will agree that we see this in our everyday lives and can appreciate the significance for our country’s well being. I regret to say that this lack of common courtesy and sensitivity to the feelings of others is a...

Most orchids have conspicuous storage organs. For epiphytic orchids, storage organs are enlarged stems called pseudobulbs. Considerable efforts have been devoted to the study of orchids in recent years. In contrast, few studies have examined the role of pseudobulbs in orchid growth and survival. This paper reviews the photosynthetic role of pseudobulbs, its role in partitioning of assimilates a...

The orchid DSCKX1 is a new member of the cytokinin oxidase gene family, which catalyses the degradation of cytokinins bearing unsaturated isoprenoid side chains. A 3.7 kb fragment upstream of the DSCKX1 coding region was isolated, sequenced and characterized by deletion analysis of DSCKX1::beta-glucuronidase gene fusions using transient orchid and stable Arabidopsis transformation systems. Func...

The potential of Euglossini bees, especially Euglossa, as biological indicators of organic vs nonorganic coffee farms was studied in Atenas and San Isidro, Alajuela, Costa Rica using 1.8-cineole as lure. Observations were made for three days at each of four farms and complemented with data from a year of observations. Orchid bees were in greater abundance in the organic farms (t-Student test). ...