The Theory of Relativity was promoted from speculative hypothesis to
accepted scientific dogma by the key observation that the apparent position of a
single star was altered exactly as predicted during a solar eclipse. The
theory was further confirmed at Hiroshima.
Any generalization about orchid speciation and pollination vectors must
consider the dimorphic Catasetums and Cycnoches. After the male flower has
implanted its pollinarium on a candidate vector, how does the vector figure out
which female flower to seek next to preserve the integrity of a given
Catasetum species? Not only does the female flower look entirely different from the
male, but most female flowers look alike. Even specialists cannot identify
Catasetum species by the form of female flowers. How does the vector do it? Is
there some arcane catalog with species keys available only to vectors?
Furthermore, once a vector has visited a male flower, what makes it decide that its
mission is to next visit a female flower of the same species, lest its labor
go for naught and produce such a swarm of hybrids that the integrity of the
Catasetum species is destroyed? The Catasetinae are the Rosetta Stone of orchid
evolution.
I am watching the development of nine Dresslaria pods on two plants, two
selfings and seven Dresslaria x Catasetum intergenerics. Wish me luck because
artificially propagated Dresslarias have not yet been reported. Bert
Pressman
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