Ophrys albarranii (P.P. Ferrer, E. Laguna & D.C. Gómez Montblanch) P.P. Ferrer, E. Laguna. D.C. Gómez Montblanch & J. Rodríguez Díaz 2024

Ferrer-Gallego, P. Pablo, Gómez Montblanch, David C., Díaz, José Rodríguez, Martínez, Juan López, Oliva, Juan José Roldán, Martín, Javier Cano & Laguna, Emilio, 2024, Ophrys albarranii (Orchidaceae): new records and revised taxonomic status, from variety to species, Nemus 14, pp. 150-156 : 154-155

Ophrys albarranii (P.P. Ferrer, E. Laguna & D.C. Gómez Montblanch) P.P. Ferrer, E. Laguna. D.C. Gómez Montblanch & J. Rodríguez Díaz , comb. & stat. nov.

≡ O. bombyliflora var. albarranii P.P. Ferrer , E. Laguna & D.C. Gómez Montblanch in Flora Montiberica 61: 4 (2015) [basionym]

Holotype: VAL 226151 (see Ferrer-Gallego et al., 2015).

This proposal could be worth discussing in the future, in the light of information from other new populations. In the same vein, a plan for the monitoring of introgression traits should be designed and carried out in the near future, as well as, if possible, molecular research should be performed.

The data available suggests that the known world population does not exceed 250 mature individuals and, as such, meets Criterion D of the Red List of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (2012) placing the species in the EN (Endangered) category. Field observations of the best-known population –Alcalá de Guadaíra– shows fluctuations, although these can probably be discounted as being extreme since, in many cases, the temporary absence of plants between successive years could be due to the effects of tuber dormancy, widely documented in orchids (Serra, 2019). Nevertheless, populations should be subject to detailed interannual monitoring in the future, since in the event that genuine extreme fluctuations were found to exist for a sufficiently significant part of the overall population of the subspecies, it could be re-categorized as CR (Critically Endangered), even without exhibiting widespread population decline, due to criteria B1a+c(iv) and B2a+c(iv).