Molecular evidence indicates that the orchid subtribe Zygopetalinae is sister to Maxillariinae. Davies and Stpiczyńska show that the labellar micromorphology of Zygopetalinae is less diverse than that of Maxillariinae sensu stricto and does not reflect the currently accepted phylogeny based on molecular studies. Instead, the relatively conservative labellar micromorphology of Zygopetalinae spp. is probably due to homoplasies resulting from similar pollinator pressures.
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