A morphometric study on Ophrys sect. Pseudophrys in Apulia (Italy) and discovery of Ophrys japigiae sp. nov. (Orchidaceae).

In this study, morphometric analyses were conducted to explore and characterise the differences and analogies between almost all O. fusca s.l. taxa occurring in Apulia. Numerous morphological characters were considered, including 20 continuous variables, 5 ratios and one multistate condition. Our results constitute an exhaustive morphometrical analysis of taxa belonging to the O. fusca group found in Apulia, showing that most of the analysed species are morphologically well defined. Using morphological, phenological and chorological evidence, a new species from southern Italy, Ophrys japigiae sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Some conclusions are drawn with regard to species delimitation, comparing morphology, phenology, chorology and habitat markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]