Taxonomic revision of the orchid genus Bulbophyllum in Madag

During the last years it has increasingly been recognized that multidisciplinary approaches are of fundamental importance to systematics as well as to conservation and evolutionary biology. The current taxonomy of the Malagasy species of the orchid genus Bulbophyllum is outdated and makes identification and protection of these often highly endangered species extremely difficult. The genus is estimated to contain about 300 species making it the most species rich radiation known of higher plants in Madagascar. The proposed project will adopt an integrative approach by using morphological, molecular, and distributional data to produce a taxonomic revision in the form of a monograph with an updated nomenclature and detailed descriptions and illustrations of all species. An identification key for all species will be published both in the form of a monograph and as an interactive, multi-entry, online key at the "Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Madagascar" (www.efloras.org). Based on the results of a previous molecular phylogenetic study, it can be estimated that ~ 70 new species descriptions will emerge from the present project. The data resulting from this project (e.g. species numbers and distribution patterns, phylogenetic relationships, extinction risks) will provide a valuable contribution to Global Strategy for Plant Conservation as part of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). Overall, the taxonomic treatment of Malagasy Bulbophyllum will be an important source of knowledge for people working in conservation, local and foreign field botanists, ecologists, taxonomists, evolutionary biologists and last but not least thousands of people interested in orchids all over the world.

Madagascar with its unique biota is an excellent outdoor laboratory to study the evolution of species. This project aimed the taxonomic revision and monographic treatment of the orchid genus Bulbophyllum in Madagascar using morphological and phylogenetic data. Based on the results of a previous FWF project (P17124) the number of species analysed morphologically and genetically, were increased to 187 and 2 further chloroplast markers were added to the main matrix. The overall resolution of the phylogenetic tree was significantly improved, but due to the termination of the project 2 years ahead of schedule, a more detailed data analysis is still missing. 11 new species were discovered and are currently drawn and will be soon formally described. Morphological studies and IUCN risk assessments of the genus Bulbophyllum in Madagascar for the proposed monographic treatment were partially performed, but time was not sufficient to compile the manuscript of the monograph. Despite the fact that the project had to be finished ahead of schedule, the results of the project will still add important information for nature and species protection programs in Madagascar. The new distribution maps will help to identify species-rich areas of high conservation priority, which is an important contribution to the goals of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD).