A new species of Macroclinium (Orchidaceae, Oncidiinae) is described and illustrated from the Venezuelan Andes. Macroclinium larense is related to M. borjaense but is readily diagnosed by its wider isthmus, which is about as long as broad whereas it is conspicuously narrower in M. borjaense; furthermore, sizes and proportions of other floral organs are also different. The new species is only known from the Yacambú National Park in Lara state. An identification key and a distribution map of the species of Macroclinium present in Venezuela are provided. Finally, a brief biogeographical consideration of the genus is presented.

The knowledge of native melliferous flora (MF) may contribute to identify the diversity of species available for beekeeping activities during the dry and rainy seasons of the year in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) region. The acute shortage of food resources considerably reduce local honey production and needs to be addressed appropriately. The objective of this study has been identifying the local MF, their nectar and pollen contribution, their flowering patterns, and the criteria of the vegetation to be established adjacent to local apiaries for stable production of quality honey. The study also investigates how this approach helps to complete the annual flowering cycle required to maintain the honeybee colonies, thereby preventing swarm escapes during periods of acute food stress in the community of Xmabén, Hopelchén, Campeche, Mexico. We conducted a comprehensive survey based on interviews with 40 local beekeepers and a review of herbarium specimens (CICY) of the database of the global information network on the native MF biodiversity with high apiculture potential, the contribution of nectar and pollen they provide, and their flowering patterns. Furthermore, we documented interviews with the same beekeepers on the necessary conditions for establishing the ideal components of vegetation in areas adjacent to apiaries for high-quality honey production in the Xmabén community of Hopelchén, Campeche, Mexico. We have identified 56 native MF species with apiculture potential, that need to be planted around the apiaries for assisting honeybees in successfully running the beekeeping production cycle. Hence, the MF diversity of Xmabén community constitutes a valuable resource for successful beekeeping in the region and adjoining localities. We found that 22.5% of local beekeepers are dedicated exclusively to apilcilture, while 77.5% practice it as a secondary activity due to better sources of income in agriculture (60%), masonry (10%), and livestock management (7.5%). The data generated can help in further expansion of the local apiaries, beekeeping business, and in building future opportunities for the local apiculture industry. Indigenous knowledge of the beekeepers was comprehensive and corroborated the technical information on MF collected from the herbarium, further emphasizing the value of indigenous knowledge on traditional beekeeping practices. From the perspective of human ecology, our study reveals the need of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting indigenous knowledge to facilitate traditional beekeeping practices of the region without using expensive, modern technology to solve ecosystem-based problems through long-term, sustainable, traditional, and environment friendly approaches.

We describe and illustrate a new nothospecies in the genus Laelia: L. × meavei Cetzal & E.A. Pérez-García. This new taxon is most likely the result of the introgression between Laelia rubescens fo. peduncularis and L. dawsonii fo. dawsonii. The description of L. × meavei is based on cultivated plants coming from a single locality: Sola de Vega, Oaxaca, on Mexico’s Sierra Madre del Sur. One of the putative parents, L. dawsonii fo. dawsonii, is widely cultivated in the region and known in the wild, but current wild populations are small and scattered. In turn, L. rubescens is typically a lowland species, but in this region it is known to grow at higher elevations and these populations are referable to L. rubescens fo. peduncularis. Flowers of Laelia × meavei are similar to those of L. rubescens, but they are larger and longer lasting, whereas the plants look more like a small L. dawsonii fo. dawsonii. Furthermore, to be consistent with the broad circumscription of Laelia followed here, we provide a new combination for the recently described Encarbacenia perezgarciae Archila & Szlachetko. Finally, the following new combination is proposed, L. dawsonii fo. chilapensis (Soto-Arenas) E.A. Pérez-García & Cetzal.

Doi:10.3906/bot-1312-86 A new natural hybrid between Prosthechea cochleata and P. radiata (Orchidaceae) from Alta Verapaz, Guatemal

Background: The Yucatan Peninsula (YP) is one of the most important regions in global apiculture. Hence, this work reviews and integrates the knowledge of the species diversity, growth habits, ecosystems, floral calendars during the apiculture production cycles and the types of vegetation represented in the melliferous flora (MF) of the YP; as a basis for proposing selection strategies locating suitable apiculture production areas for local beekeepers and help in the economic development of the region. Methods: A comprehensive review of the MF literature was carried out using the snowball method to determine and update the number of species useful for apiculture. The growth habits and flower calendars were determined through a review of the literature and databases of specimens from the herbaria CICY, UCAM and MEXU. Results: The YP reports a total of 935 taxa of MF (98 families and 498 genera); of these, Campeche has 812 taxa, followed by Quintana Roo (786) and Yucatán (767). The MF is made up of herbs (282), followed by shrubs (260), trees (229), climbers (82), woody climbers (67) palms (14) and parasitic plant (1). Conclusion: Of the 935 species of MF registered at the regional level, a high number of species have flowering throughout the year, however, not all of these species are considered useful for local commercial apiculture. Only a select group of 23 species are considered of major importance for local apiculture industry.