Liparis punctilabris and Liparis nectarina identities

This dataset compiles morphological and geographic information for two closely related orchid species endemic to Réunion Island: Liparis nectarina and Liparis punctilabris. The data were collected as part of W. Buquet’s doctoral research on the taxonomy, phylogeny, and conservation of Liparis species in the Mascarene Islands.

Content and structure

The dataset includes the following components:
• Geographic coordinates: GPS data for each occurrence (latitude, longitude, elevation).
• Morphological data: Quantitative measurements (e.g., pseudobulb length, leaf width, lip shape parameters) and qualitative descriptors (e.g., flower color, venation, pubescence), used for morphometric analyses.
• Photographic documentation: Dissections photographs of flowers

Purpose

The dataset was designed to:
• Clarify the taxonomic boundaries between L. nectarina and L. punctilabris, which have long been confused in the literature and herbarium collections.
• Inform conservation assessments (e.g., IUCN Red List status re-evaluation).
• Serve as a reference for future fieldwork and floristic inventories in the Mascarene region.

Format and availability

The data are stored in tabular format (CSV and XLSX) and the image are stored in a PDF file.