Ophrys flowers sexually swindle male insect pollinators that cross-pollinate flowers during acts of pseudocopulation on the labellum.
Classification of this species-rich genus into a natural system is difficult, even with the present molecular methods, because
of low interspecific genetic variability. We investigated the potential for flower chemical signatures generated from gas
chromatography of
Ophrys labellum extracts to distinguish taxa and indicate phylogenetic relationships. Labellum extracts of five taxa from southeast
France belonging to the sections
Araniferae and
Pseudophrys were analyzed. We obtained a high variability among all individuals with a good discrimination among all species. We conclude
that lipidic compounds on
Ophrys labellum represent species-specific chemical signatures, as has proven useful in insect taxonomy. Furthermore, a possible
population effect is detected for a poorly described, polytypical species. We conclude that chemical investigations should
be continued to clarify the classification of closely related taxa and to better understand the evolutionary processes in
this extraordinary genus.
Keywords
Araniferae
- Chemical mimicry - Cuticular lipidic compounds - Gas chromatography - Mediterranean area -
Pseudophrys