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Project: 349/2022
Title:
The taxonomic, phylogenetic and conservation status of the orchids of Lord Howe Island
Applicant: Ian Hutton, Dr Heidi Zimmer
Institution: Lord Howe Island Museum, Lord Howe Island
Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian. National Herbarium, Clunies Ross St, Canberra 2601.
Lord Howe Island (LHI) is an oceanic island 600 km east of Port Macquarie, NSW. The flora of LHI encompasses elements of Australian, New Zealand and New Caledonian elements, while also displaying high degree of endemism.
Thirteen species of orchid have been recorded on LHI, of which four are currently recognised as endemic. Given the tendency for endemic species to evolve on islands, it is possible that other LHI orchid taxa are distinct from their Australasian relatives – and are therefore of higher conservation concern.
This project will assess the taxonomic, phylogenetic and conservation status of orchids on LHI by gathering information on species populations, distributions and threats. Specimens collected as part of this project will also be subject to molecular analysis (as part of a broader program) to provide further insight into their taxonomic status and phylogenetic affinities.
A rigorous understanding of the orchid diversity of LHI, especially of species endemism, will enable effective conservation management decision-making
Photographs by Ian Hutton
Research outcomes
This project has documented that Lord Howe Island (LHI) is home to at least 14 orchid species – a rich orchid flora, given the island’s small land area. There are at least four endemic species (Adelopetalum howense [Jones et al. 2024], Plectorrhiza erecta, Thelychiton howeanus and Thelychiton moorei). In addition, three orchid species have been recorded for the first time on LHI only recently (Chiloglottis platyptera, Oberonia complanata and Thelymitra fragrans). Also significant is that LHI is home to several small subpopulations of orchids which have broader distributions elsewhere: i.e., (< 150 plants) Corybas barbarae, Microtis aemula, and Thelymitra fragrans; (<10 plants) Pterostylis curta and Pterostylis pedunculata. These outlying subpopulations are of interest for future research because of their potential to provide insight processes of orchid population establishment and speciation.
The information gathered for this project enabled us to complete extinction risk assessments, using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, for each of LHI’s orchids (Table 1). Molecular phylogenetic research into the orchids of LHI is ongoing.
Photo credit Ian Hutton Adelopetalum howense
Research paper
Jones, D. L., Zimmer, H. C., Clements, M. A., Bruhl, J. J., Christian, J., Copeland, L. M., Hutton, I., Anderson, A. & Wilson, M. (2024). Characterisation of Adelopetalum argyropus (Orchidaceae; Malaxideae) with the description of two related new species and two new combinations. Phytotaxa 678: 83-95. https://phytotaxa.mapress.com/pt/article/view/phytotaxa.678.1.9