欺骗性传粉是兰科植物多样性形成的重要原因之一。杓兰属（Cypripedium L.）是研究兰科植物欺骗性传粉系统进化的模式类群。大部分杓兰属植物为典型的蜂类传粉，拟态系统为泛化的食源性欺骗。杓兰属三稜组植物在我国西南山地这一分布中心其传粉者出现了蜂类向蝇类的转变。最近申请者对三棱组的毛瓣杓兰（C. fargesii）研究发现该植物带斑点的叶片和花气味拟态被枝孢菌感染的叶片，从而达到诱骗蝇类传粉的目的，这是一种全新的拟态方式。然而，与毛瓣杓兰具有相似表型的近缘种的传粉系统尚不清楚，这种拟态现象是否同样存在需要进一步验证。本项目选取毛瓣杓兰及其近缘种斑叶杓兰（C. margaritaceum）和丽江杓兰（C. lichiangense）作为研究对象开展传粉系统进化研究，进一步深化对这一特有的拟态机制的认识；揭示毛瓣杓兰近缘种的传粉式样和拟态机制；为兰科植物的保护提供重要依据。

Charles Darwin used orchid flowers as model systems to explain the evolution of functional morphology and adaptations. However, Darwin ignored the concept of pollination-by-deceit, in which floral stimuli attracts pollinators but the flower fails to reward the pollinator. Recent theories insist that floral mimesis or deception appears to drive speciation in the majority of lineages within the terrestrial Orchidaceae. Historically, the genus Cypripedium has been regarded as a model lineage of nonrewarding orchid flowers, the majority of species studied, to date, are bee-pollinated. However, recent studies indicate that, at least, five Cypripedium species found in the southwestern mountains of China are pollinated by small flies (Microdoptera) exploiting a suite of attractant characters known as myophily. Previously, we described a new mode of deceptive pollination in C. fargesii which requires fungus-eating (mycophagic) flies for pollination. The blackish hairy spotted leaves combine with the floral pigmentation patttern and musty floral scent lure flies that would feed on the fungal exudates of infected vegetation. Theoretically, the leaf and flower mimesis of fungus-infected foliage probably represents a "bridge" between generalist food mimesis, in most Cypripedium spp., and full mimicry of fungal fruiting bodies (sporocarps). Based on molecular evidence, C. fargesii has three-five sister species so closely related that they are all now placed in Sect. Trigonopedia. All of these species have similar pirmentation patterns on their leaves and flowers as C. fargesii. Further field and lab work is required to show whether the same mode of deceptive pollination persists throughout Sect. Trigonopedia? Do all species attract the same fly species? We propose a morphometric, quantitative and biochemical study to compare pollination modes within the Trigonopedia lineage to determine evolutionary trends. This comparative approach will focus on populations of C. fargesii, and its most easily located sister species, C. margaritaceum and lichiangense. Their floral functional morphologies, breeding systems, pollinators and scent molecules must be compared via modern, field/lab techniques and biometric programs. Research subdivides into three, overlapping programs: 1) Analyze, compare and define the visual and olfactory signal systems in this novel mode of mimesis in this lineage. 2) Test whether the mimesis of fungus-infected foliage in C. fargessi parallels leaf patterns and vestiture in the sister species or, if not, how do the pollination syndromes vary to deceive different insects? 3) Compare and analyze variation of pollination systems in Trigonopedia to reveal and interpretate evolutionary pathways; 4) Provide life-history data to help formulate conservation strategies to better protect these endangered orchids to maintain surviving, self-perpetuating populations from viable seed.