O. astarte
was first described from Cyprus by Devillers and Devillers-Terschuren
in 2012 having long been known as the Cypriot variety of the
widespread Greek endemic O. attica.
In late March, 2012 Messrs Devillers and Devillers-Terschuren undertook an investigation into the Ophrys of Cyprus which when published was entitled "Ophrys of Cyprus. Diagnostic Characters, Relationships and Biogeography". This study concentrated on three main groups, umbilicata, mammosa and bornmuelleri, putting forward the view that several of the non endemic species existing in Cyprus exhibited features and characteristics differing from populations elsewhere. Three species in particular were highlighted, O. attica (possibly also plants previously considered to be O. rhodia) has now been reclassified as O. astarte. Plants of the mammosa group thought to be O. hystera have been renamed O. posteria. Finally O. bornmuelleri has been separated and rechristened O. aphrodite.
The differences noted in all these species were not large and morphological inspection wouldn't easily reveal significant dissimilarities. The report was informed by the fact that Cyprus is considered some five times more isolated than either Crete or Rhodes and that consequently the virtually non existent external gene flow to non endemic species such as O. attica must inevitably result in eventual speciation.
O. astarte is thus a Cypriot endemic and one of three O. umbilicata group members to grow there, it is however only O. flavomarginata that can create any confusion. This latter species has larger, broader flowers and a very much more pronounced yellow margin around the lip. The photos date from the beginning of March.
In late March, 2012 Messrs Devillers and Devillers-Terschuren undertook an investigation into the Ophrys of Cyprus which when published was entitled "Ophrys of Cyprus. Diagnostic Characters, Relationships and Biogeography". This study concentrated on three main groups, umbilicata, mammosa and bornmuelleri, putting forward the view that several of the non endemic species existing in Cyprus exhibited features and characteristics differing from populations elsewhere. Three species in particular were highlighted, O. attica (possibly also plants previously considered to be O. rhodia) has now been reclassified as O. astarte. Plants of the mammosa group thought to be O. hystera have been renamed O. posteria. Finally O. bornmuelleri has been separated and rechristened O. aphrodite.
The differences noted in all these species were not large and morphological inspection wouldn't easily reveal significant dissimilarities. The report was informed by the fact that Cyprus is considered some five times more isolated than either Crete or Rhodes and that consequently the virtually non existent external gene flow to non endemic species such as O. attica must inevitably result in eventual speciation.
O. astarte is thus a Cypriot endemic and one of three O. umbilicata group members to grow there, it is however only O. flavomarginata that can create any confusion. This latter species has larger, broader flowers and a very much more pronounced yellow margin around the lip. The photos date from the beginning of March.
