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International audience; Approximately 10% of vascular plants are epiphytes and, even though this has long been ignored in past research, are able to interact with a variety of fungi, including mycorrhizal taxa. However, the structure of fungal communities on bark, as well as their relationship with epiphytic plants, is largely unknown.To fill this gap, we conducted environmental metabarcoding of the ITS-2 region to understand the spatial structure of fungal communities of the bark of tropical trees, with a focus on epiphytic orchid mycorrhizal fungi, and tested the influence of root proximity.For all guilds, including orchid mycorrhizal fungi, fungal communities were more similar when spatially close on bark (i.e. they displayed positive spatial autocorrelation). They also showed distance decay of similarity with respect to epiphytic roots, meaning that their composition on bark increasingly differed, compared to roots, with distance from roots.We first showed that all of the investigated fungal guilds exhibited spatial structure at very small scales. This spatial structure was influenced by the roots of epiphytic plants, suggesting the existence of an epiphytic rhizosphere. Finally, we showed that orchid mycorrhizal fungi were aggregated around them, possibly as a result of reciprocal influence between the mycorrhizal partners.

International audience; Little is known about direct interactions between diatoms. In this study, small diatoms attaching onto larger benthic and motile diatoms were considered. This phenomenon is commonly considered as epiphytism (with diatom epiphytes) although the exact nature of this interaction has not been investigated yet. The question that was addressed here is the specificity of the interaction, simply by observing species associations in their natural environment. A comparison of this special form of epiphytism was carried out between two sites, on a Mediterranean river and one of its tributaries. The results showed both host and epiphyte selection, but with some variability in species associations. This excludes the two alternative hypotheses that (i) large diatoms are a neutral substrate for smaller diatoms and that (ii) the interactions are strictly specific between two species.

© 2019 The Authors Understanding the processes that determine the architecture of interaction networks represents a major challenge in ecology and evolutionary biology. One of the most important interactions involving plants is the interaction between plants and mycorrhizal fungi. While there is a mounting body of research that has studied the architecture of plant–fungus interaction networks, less is known about the potential factors that drive network architecture. In this study, we described the architecture of the network of interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and 44 orchid species that represented different life forms and co-occurred in tropical forest and assessed the relative importance of ecological, evolutionary and co-evolutionary mechanisms determining network architecture. We found 87 different fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs), most of which were members of the Tulasnellaceae. Most orchid species associated with multiple fungi simultaneously, indicating that extreme host selectivity was rare. However, an increasing specificity towards Tulasnellaceae fungal associates from terrestrial to epiphytic and lithophytic orchids was observed. The network of interactions showed an association pattern that was significantly modular (M = 0.7389, M random = 0.6998) and nested (NODF = 5.53, p < 0.05). Terrestrial orchids had almost no links to modules containing epiphytic or lithophytic orchids, while modules containing epiphytic orchids also contained lithophytic orchids. Within each life form several modules were observed, suggesting that the processes that organize orchid–fungus interactions are independent of life form. The overall phylogenetic signal for both partners in the interaction network was very weak. Overall, these results indicate that tropical orchids associate with a wide number of mycorrhizal fungi and that ecological rather than phylogenetic constraints determine network architecture. ispartof: OIKOS vol:128 issue:9 pages:1254-1264 status: published

Orientadores: Fosca Pedini Pereira Leite, Silvana Gomes Leite Siqueira Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia Resumo: Macroalgas oferecem alimento e hábitat para pequenos herbívoros, como anfípodes. O papel da macroalga como alimento é um dos principais fatores que influencia a interação herbívoro-macroalga. Dessa forma, para compreender essa interação, é imprescindível conhecer as consequências da dieta sobre a aptidão de pequenos herbívoros e a associação desses animais com as macroalgas em campo. Nesse estudo, avaliamos a variação temporal de anfípodes herbívoros da família Ampithoidae e da alga parda Sargassum filipendula e suas epífitas. Em complemento, investigamos o efeito do consumo de algas com diferentes características (Sargassum filipendula e duas algas epífitas, Dictyota cervicornis e Hypnea musciformis) sobre a aptidão de dois ampitoídeos, Cymadusa filosa e Sunampithoe pelagica, bem como a preferência e taxa alimentar desses anfípodes. A composição das espécies de Ampithoidae variou quanto ao tempo e foi influenciada pela biomassa de Sargassum e pela intensidade de epifitismo. Sunampithoe pelagica destacou-se como a espécie de ampitoídeo mais abundante, apresentando forte associação com a biomassa de Sargassum. As espécies C. filosa, Ampithoe marcuzzi e A. ramondi ocorreram em menor abundância e acompanharam a variação da biomassa de epífitas. Nos experimentos de aptidão, jovens de S. pelagica alimentados com Sargassum, em comparação àqueles nos tratamentos com Hypnea e Dictyota, apresentaram maior sobrevivência, o que sugere uma dieta restrita apresentada por essa espécie. Para C. filosa, a sobrevivência foi semelhante entre jovens submetidos às três dietas, porém, aqueles alimentados com Sargassum apresentaram maior crescimento e sucesso reprodutivo. Em um experimento de múltipla escolha de algas, adultos de C. filosa e S. pelagica apresentaram maior preferência de consumo pela alga Sargassum. Quando não oferecida escolha quanto ao alimento, as três algas foram consumidas por adultos de C. filosa a uma mesma taxa. Em contraste, Sargassum foi à alga mais consumida por adultos de S. pelagica no experimento de taxa alimentar. Apesar de ambas as espécies de anfípodes apresentarem maior preferência e sucesso ao consumirem Sargassum, elas responderam de maneiras distintas quando oferecidas outras algas, o que pode refletir as diferenças observadas entre essas espécies quanto aos seus padrões de ocorrência em campo. Nesse sentido, enquanto um importante componente na interação entre pequenos herbívoros e macroalgas, a dieta pode influenciar as respostas de anfípodes herbívoros às variações de biomassa das macroalgas. Além disso, nossos resultados reforçam a importância de se considerar as especificidades de cada herbívoro para compreensão do impacto desses animais sobre a comunidade de algas Abstract: Macroalgae offer food and habitat for small herbivores, such as amphipods. The role of the macroalgae as food is one of the main driving factors of the herbivore-macroalga interaction. Hence, in order to comprehend this interaction, one must necessarily know the consequences of the diet on the fitness of small herbivores and on the association between these animals and the algae in the field. We herein assess the temporal variation of herbivore amphipods, of the Ampithoidae family, and of the brown seaweed Sargassum filipendula and its epiphytes. In addition, we explore the effects of the consumption of algae with different characteristics (Sargassum filipendula and two epiphytes, Dictyota filosa and Sunampithoe pelagica) on the fitness of two ampithoids, Cymadusa filosa and Sunampithoe pelagica, as well as on their feeding preference and rate. The composition of Ampithoidae species displayed temporal variation and was influenced by the Sargassum biomass and the intensity of epiphytism. Sunampithoe pelagica revealed itself as the most abundant species of Ampithoidae, and was strongly associated to the Sargassum biomass. The C. filosa, Ampithoe marcuzzi and A. ramondi species were less abundant, and they accompanied the variation of the epiphyte biomass. In the fitness experiments, young S. pelagica being fed Sargassum, as compared to the groups being fed Hypnea and Dictyota, displayed larger survival rates. This suggests that this species has a restricted diet. Regarding C. filosa, the survival rate was similar for the young specimens subjected to three diets, but those fed Sargassum showed greater growth and higher reproductive success. In a multiple choice experiments, C. filosa and S. pelagica adults were shown to prefer consuming Sargassum. When they were not offered a choice, C. filosa adults consumed the three algae at the same rate. In contradistinction to this, in the feeding rate experiment S. pelagica adults consumed Sargassum the most. In spite of the two amphipod species displaying greater preference and success rates when consuming Sargassum, they reacted differently when other algae was offered them, which might explain the observed differences regarding their occurrence patterns in the field. Therefore, as an important factor of herbivore-macroalgae interaction, feeding can influence the responses of herbivorous amphipods to changes in macroalgae biomass. Furthermore, our results stress the importance of considering the specificities of each herbivore in order to understand the impact of these animals on the community of algae Mestrado Ecologia Mestre em Ecologia

As epífitas vasculares constituem uma forma de vida que é importante para manter a diversidade biológica dos ecossistemas florestais, porque eles fornecem recursos alimentares e microambientes especializados para a fauna no dossel da floresta. Este estudo objetivou descrever a composição florística e os aspectos ecológicos das epífitas vasculares ocorrentes nas restingas (bosques costeiros) dentro da Área Ambientalmente Protegida Algodoal-Maiandeua, localizada no município do Maracanã, no estado do Pará, Brasil. Foram amostradas cinco parcelas de 50 × 50 m (três em floresta de restinga seca e duas em floresta de restinga da várzea), totalizando a área amostrada 1,25 ha. Nas parcelas amostradas, as epífitas vasculares foram identificados e descritos de acordo com sua freqüência, abundância, valor de importância (IV), grupo funcional e distribuição (tronco, coroa inferior ou coroa superior do hospedeiro). Para ambos os tipos de floresta, identificamos 477 indivíduos pertencente a cinco famílias, nove gêneros e 11 espécies. As famílias mais ricas em espécies foram Araceae e Orchidaceae. As espécies com maior densidade, frequência e IV foram os hemiepífitos secundários Philodendron acutatum, Anthurium pentaphyllum e Philodendron muricatum, representando coletivamente 92,1% de todos os indivíduos amostrados. As verdadeiras epífitas predominaram. A riqueza e abundância de espécies epífitas foi maior no tronco hospedeiro que no a coroa inferior ou superior. O clima sazonal e a estrutura da floresta favoreceram uma maior abundância de hemiepífitos e maior frequência de epífitas nos troncos de seus hospedeiros. Vascular epiphytes constitute a life form that is important to maintaining the biological diversity of forest ecosystems, because they provide food resources and specialized microenvironments for fauna in the forest canopy. This study aimed to describe the floristic composition and ecological aspects of vascular epiphytes occurring in the restingas (coastal woodlands) within the Algodoal-Maiandeua Environmentally Protected Area, located in the municipality of Maracanã, in the state of Pará, Brazil. We sampled five 50 × 50 m plots (three in dry restinga forest and two in floodplain restinga forest), the sampled area therefore totaling 1.25 ha. In the plots sampled, vascular epiphytes were identified and described according to their frequency, abundance, importance value (IV), functional group and vertical distribution (trunk, lower crown or upper crown of the host). For both forest types, we identified 477 individuals belonging to five families, nine genera and 11 species. The most species-rich families were Araceae and Orchidaceae. The species with the highest density, frequency and IV were the secondary hemiepiphytes Philodendron acutatum, Anthurium pentaphyllum and Philodendron muricatum, collectively accounting for 92.1% of all sampled individuals. The true epiphytes predominated. Epiphytic species richness and abundance was greater on the host trunk than in the lower or upper crown. The seasonal climate and structure of the forest favored greater abundance of secondary hemiepiphytes and a higher frequency of epiphytes on the trunks of their hosts.

In spite of it is baseline importance for comparative studies with the past and present data, an updated list of marine green algal taxa for the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an is not yet available. The aim of this paper is to present an updated list of marine green algal taxa for the Sian Ka’an Reserve based on literature and collections made by the authors in 17 localities during 2011–2012. Fifty-five taxa are new records for the study area and thus the list has increased to 129. Additionally five taxa are reported for the first time to Quintana Roo, and 11 to Mexican Atlantic coast. These results contribute to the knowledge of green seaweed diversity and also support the relevance of the Sian Ka’an Reserve as a high priority area for conservation due to their high level of algal biodiversity.

The species-rich genus Peperomia (Black Pepper relatives) is the only genus among early diverging angiosperms where epiphytism evolved. The majority of fruits of Peperomia release sticky secretions or exhibit hook-shaped appendages indicative of epizoochorous dispersal, which is in contrast to other flowering plants, where epiphytes are generally characterized by fruit morphological adaptations for anemochory or endozoochory. We investigate fruit characters using Cryo-SEM. Comparative phylogenetic analyses are applied for the first time to include life form and fruit character information to study diversification in Peperomia. Likelihood ratio tests uncover correlated character evolution. We demonstrate that diversification within Peperomia is not homogenous across its phylogeny, and that net diversification rates increase by twofold within the most species-rich subgenus. In contrast to former land plant studies that provide general evidence for increased diversification in epiphytic lineages, we demonstrate that the evolution of epiphytism within Peperomia predates the diversification shift. An epiphytic-dependent diversification is only observed for the background phylogeny. An elevated frequency of life form transitions between epiphytes and terrestrials and thus evolutionary flexibility of life forms is uncovered to coincide with the diversification shift. The evolution of fruits showing dispersal related structures is key to diversification in the foreground region of the phylogeny and postdates the evolution of epiphytism. We conclude that the success of Peperomia, measured in species numbers, is likely the result of enhanced vertical and horizontal dispersal ability and life form flexibility but not the evolution of epiphytism itself.

Bromeliaceae, comprising 3172 species, is one of the most important families of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest owing to its high degree of endemism and occurrence in different habitats. The subfamily Bromelioideae is the most representative of Bromeliaceae and the best represented in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, with 120 species. The objective of this study is to compare the leaf anatomy of four species found in two areas of the Atlantic Forest: Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil ( Wawra and (Baker) Leme) and a forest fragment located within Bom Sucesso Farm, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil ( E. Morren and Bertol.), relating environmental characteristics to the habit. Leaf samples were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy and histochemical tests with Sudan, phloroglucinol, and ruthenium red stains. Leaves of and showed several adaptations to the epiphytic habit, including scales on both surfaces, thickened epidermal cell walls, presence of silica bodies, hypodermis with sclerified cells, water-storing tissue (hydrenchyma), and air channels formed by stellate cells in the chlorenchyma. The epiphytic species and the terrestrial species have similar overall structure, including a well-developed parenchyma and extravascular fiber groups. Leaves of the terrestrial species and the epiphytic species also show structural similarities, such as lack of extravascular fibers and less developed parenchyma. Similar characteristics in species from different habitats may either reflect microclimatic conditions under which these species occur or genetically fixed characteristics. Les Bromeliaceae, comprenant 3172 espèces, constituent une des familles les plus importantes de la forêt atlantique brésilienne par son fort degré d'endémisme et par sa présence dans différents habitats. La sous-famille des Bromelioideae, la plus représentative des Bromeliaceae, est la mieux représentée dans l'état de Minas Gerais, au Brésil, avec 120 espèces. L'objectif de l'étude consiste à comparer l'anatomie foliaire de quatre espèces trouvées dans deux régions de la forêt atlantique : parc de l'état « Serra do Brigadeiro », MG, Brésil ( Quesnelia strobilispica Wawra et Wittrockia gigantea (Baker) Leme), et un fragment forestier localisé sur la ferme « Bom Sucesso », Viçosa, MG, Brésil ( Billbergia euphemiae E. Morren et Bromelia antiacantha Bertol.), en reliant les caractéristiques environnementales avec l'habitat. Les auteurs ont étudié les feuilles à l'aide de la microscopie photonique et électronique par balayage, ainsi que des colorations au Sudan, phloroglucinol, et rouge de ruthénium. Les feuilles du B. euphemiae et du W. gigantea montrent plusieurs adaptations à l'habitat épiphyte, incluant des écailles sur les deux surfaces, des parois cellulaires épaissies, la présence de corps siliceux, un hypoderme avec des cellules sclérifiées, des tissus accumulateurs d'eau (hydranchymes) et des canaux aérifères formés par des cellules stellées, dans le chlorenchyme. L'espèce épiphyte, B. euphemiae, et l'espèce terrestre, Q. strobilispica, possèdent en général des structures similaires, incluant un parenchyme bien développé et des groupes de fibres extra-vasculaires. Les feuilles de l'espèce terrestre, B. antiacantha, et de l'espèce épiphyte, W. gigantea, montrent également des similarités de structures comme l'absence de fibres extra-vasculaires et un parenchyme moins développé. La similitude des caractères chez des espèces provenant de différents habitats peut refléter soit les conditions microclimatiques sous lesquelles ces espèces se développent, ou encore des caractéristiques génétiques fixées.

The extractive exploitation of the tree fern Alsophila setosa Kaulf. alters forest formations and diminishes the availability of micro-habitat for epiphytes. A survey of epiphytic fern communities on A. setosa at 16 study sites in different forest formations in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, documented the occurrence of 31 species representing 16 genera and six families. The greatest richness of species occurred in Polypodiaceae (39%) and in the genus Asplenium L. (22%). Habitual holoepiphyte was the predominant ecological category, representing 61% of the species. Similarity analysis demonstrated heterogeneity in the composition of the epiphytic ferns at the study sites and indicated that the vegetation type is not the main factor for floristic difference. The lowest total specific richness (5) was recorded for the seasonal deciduous forest site. The majority of the sites presented similar averages of phorophyte height and epiphyte richness per caudex. In 25% of the sites the height of the host plants presented significant correlation with specific richness. Considering that the majority of the epiphytes are habitual and that some of them occur exclusively or preferentially on tree ferns, the maintenance of these host plants in the vegetation is essential for the conservation of epiphytic species.

Um estudo taxonômico de Cactaceae epifíticas foi realizado no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A revisão inclui chaves de identificação, ilustrações, observações ecológicas e taxonômicas, distribuição geográfica e períodos de floração e frutificação das espécies. Foi encontrado um total de seis gêneros e 13 espécies, sendo duas comumente epífitas acidentais, Cereus alacriportanus Pfeiff. e Opuntia monacantha Haw., e 11 epífitas verdadeiras ou habituais, Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.) Haw., Hatiora rosea (Lagerh.) Barthlott, Lepismium cruciforme (Vell.) Miq., L. houlletianum (Lem.) Barthlott, L. lumbricoides (Lem.) Barthlott, L. warmingianum (K. Schum.) Barthlott, Rhipsalis campos-portoana Loefgr., R. cereuscula Haw., R. floccosa Salm-Dyck ex Pfeiff., R. paradoxa (Salm-Dyck ex Pfeiff.) Salm-Dyck e R. teres (Vell.) Steud. Uma espécie, R. campos-portoana, é referida pela primeira vez para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A taxonomic study of epiphytic Cactaceae in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, was carried out. The survey presents identification keys, illustrations, ecological and taxonomical observations, geographic distribution, and flowering and fruiting periods of the species. A total of six genera and 13 species were found, two being common accidental epiphytes, Cereus alacriportanus Pfeiff. and Opuntia monacantha Haw., and 11 true or selective epiphytes, Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.) Haw., Hatiora rosea (Lagerh.) Barthlott, Lepismium cruciforme (Vell.) Miq., L. houlletianum (Lem.) Barthlott, L. lumbricoides (Lem.) Barthlott, L. warmingianum (K. Schum.) Barthlott, Rhipsalis campos-portoana Loefgr., R. cereuscula Haw., R. floccosa Salm-Dyck ex Pfeiff., R. paradoxa (Salm-Dyck ex Pfeiff.) Salm-Dyck and R. teres (Vell.) Steud. One species, R. campos-portoana, is referred for the first time for Rio Grande do Sul State.

As espécies analisadas (Cattleya araguaiensis Pabst, C. bicolor Lindl., C. nobilior Rchb. e C. walkeriana Gardn.) apresentam epiderme uniestratificada em ambas as faces da lâmina foliar, ocorrendo estômatos na face abaxial; deposição de cera epicuticular em crostas, escamas, flocos e plaquetas; em C. araguaiensis ocorrem estegmatas incrustados nas células epidérmicas; em todas as espécies ocorre hipoderme com células de paredes espessadas; mesofilo bifacial, compacto; células paliçádicas atípicas, com barras de espessamento; feixes vasculares colaterais dispostos alternadamente, acompanhados por bainha de fibras; cordões fibrosos acompanhados por estegmatas ocorrem longitudinalmente na lâmina foliar; presença de ráfides. Os aspectos descritos revelam acentuada xeromorfia, em função de economia de água. The analyzed species (Cattleya araguaiensis Pabst, C. bicolor Lindl., C. nobilior Rchb. e C. walkeriana Gardn.) present unistratified epidermis at both surfaces with stomata at abaxial surface; deposition of epicuticular wax in crusts, scales, granules and plates; C. araguaiensis presents stegmata at epidermal cells; others characteristics present at all species are: hypodermis cells with thick walls; bifacial and compact mesophyll; atipic cells ofpalisade parenchyma with thichness bars; collateral vascular bundles alternate accompanied by sheath fibers; cordon fibers accompanied by stegmata in the foliar blade; raphids. The described aspects reveal accentuate xeromorphy for water economy.

We trace the evolution of root climbing and scrambling in Dissochaeteae and Sonerileae, two closely related groups that comprise the majority of Old World climbing Melastomataceae. The morphological and anatomical adaptations of the different climbers are interpreted in the context of a phylogeny based on chloroplast (cp) DNA sequences of the ndhF gene, generated for 31 representatives of Dissochaeteae and Sonerileae/Oxysporeae plus nine outgroups. For 20 of these taxa, the ndhF sequences were combined with cpDNA rpl16 intron sequences to obtain higher statistical support. Parsimony, minimum evolution, and maximum likelihood approaches yield congruent topologies that imply that scrambling growth evolved once in the common ancestor of Dissochaetinae, a group of ∼40 species centered around Dissochaeta and its close relatives Macrolenes and Diplectria . Root climbing, on the other hand, likely evolved in the common ancestor of Catanthera , Kendrickia , and Medinilla section Heteroblemma (together 26 species). In Melastomataceae overall, scrambling is restricted to Dissochaetinae, while root climbing has evolved several times. The scramblers are diverse in open disturbed habitats and show adaptations such as sarmentose branches, hook-shaped adventitious roots, and interpetiolar outgrowths that enhance their ability to lean on and clamber over other plants. Root climbers in the Catanthera - Kendrickia - Heteroblemma clade are restricted to humid habitats and show adaptations such as anomalous growth of the secondary xylem (a rare feature in the family), living climbing roots, and pseudoalternate phyllotaxy, which allows optimal arrangement of the normally opposite melastome leaves against the host's trunk.

An updated inventory of the Bromeliaceae for Costa Rica is presented including citations of representative specimens for each species. The family comprises 18 genera and 198 species in Costa Rica, 32 species being endemic to the country. Additional 36 species are endemic to Costa Rica and Panama. Only 4 of the 8 bromeliad subfamilies occur in Costa Rica, with a strong predominance of Tillandsioideae (7 genera/150 spp.; 75.7% of all bromeliad species in Costa Rica). 124 species (62.6%) grow exclusively epiphytic, additional 59 spp. (29.8%) are facultative epiphytes. The most diverse genus is Werauhia, with 59 species (29.8% of the Costa Rican bromeliad flora), followed by Tillandsia with 40 species (20.2%) and Guzmania with 28 spp. (8.6%). Es presentada una lista de chequeo actualizada de 18 géneros y 198 especies de Bromeliaceae conocidas de Costa Rica. Por consiguiente, las bromelias endémicas de Costa Rica, ahora comprenden 32 especies. Adicionalmente, 36 especies tienen un endemismo compartido con Panamá. Sólo 4 de las 8 subfamilias actualmente reconocidas ocurren en Costa Rica con fuerte predominio de Tillandsioideae (7 géneros/150 spp.; 75.7% del total de especies de bromelias de Costa Rica). 124 especies (62.6%) crecen como epífita, 59 especies adicionales (29.8%) son epifitas facultativas. El género mejor representado es Werauhia, con 59 especies (29.8% de la flora de bromelias de Costa Rica), seguido por Tillandsia con 40 spp. (20.2%) y Guzmania con 28 especies (8.6%).

Considering that the root structure of the Brazilian genera belonging to the Catasetinae subtribe is poorly known, we describe the roots of twelve representatives from this subtribe. For anatomical analysis, the roots were fixed in FAA 50, preserved in ethanol 70% and sectioned at its medium region using razor blades. The sections were stained with 0.05% astra blue and safranin and mounted in glycerin. For the identification of starch we used Lugol's solution; for lignin, floroglucin chloridric; for lipids, Sudan III, and for flavanoids, potassium hydroxide. The relevant aspects were registered using a digital camera joined with an Olympus microspope (BX51 model). The structural similarities of all roots support the placement of the subtribe Catasetinae into the monophyletic tribe Cymbidieae. Some root features are restricted to one or two taxa and can be useful in the systematics of the subtribe. For example, the occurrence of flavonoidic crystals characterizes the genera Catasetum and Cychnodes, and the number of the velamen layers and the shape of the epivelamen cells are useful to confirm the taxonomic position of Clowesia amazonica. The presence of velamen and flavonoidic crystals was interpreted as an adaptation to the epiphytic habit.Considerando que a estrutura das raízes de gêneros brasileiros pertencentes à subtribo Catasetinae é pouco conhecida, descrevemos as raízes de doze representantes desta subtribo. Para análise anatômica, as raízes foram fixadas em FAA 50, preservadas em álcool 70% e seccionadas na sua região média usando lâminas de barbear. Os cortes foram corados com astra blue e Safrablau 0,05% e montados em glicerina. Para a identificação do amido, utilizou-se a solução de Lugol; da lignina, floroglucina clorídrica, dos lipídios, Sudan III e dos flavonóides, hidróxido de potássio. Os aspectos relevantes foram registrados usando câmera digital acoplada a um microscópio Olympus (modelo BX51). As semelhanças estruturais observadas entre todas as raízes estudadas confirmam a inclusão da subtribo Catasetinae na tribo monofilética Cymbidieae. Algumas características radiculares são restritas a um ou dois táxons e podem ser úteis na taxonomia da subtribo. Por exemplo, a ocorrência de cristais flavonoídicos caracteriza os gêneros Catasetum e Cychnodes e o número de camadas do velame associado à forma das células do epivelame são úteis para confirmar a posição taxonômica de Clowesia amazônica. A presença de velame e de cristais flavonoídicos foi interpretada como adaptações ao hábito epifítico.