DNA Barcoding Case Studies

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Scope

The aim of this project is to establish a barcode data of the plant species in Vietnam. Initial research will be limited to species in Paphiopedilum and Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) with ca. 120 species. Two specimens from each species will be sampled and stored in Silica gel with herbarium vouchers. DNA barcoding regions will be considered by the Plant Working Group.

Purpose

 It is estimated that Vietnam forests have ca. 12,000 vascular plant species, of which only 9,000 species are found (Ban, 2003). 23.6% of known species are estimated to be endemic (Chan, 1996). In many years, increased human pressure has resulted in a great reduction in forest areas and increased level of fragmentation of surviving forests. Many plant species are in danger of extinction. Vietnamese scientists produced a Red Data Book listing the number threatened plant species containing a total number of 448 species (BCNKH, 2007). Many of these have significance for commercial, medicinal and ornamental values. All the plant species are often identified by morphological characters. Sometimes, such identification is very difficult without having flower and fruit, especially species leaf characters often vary considerably within species. It is proposed to undertake DNA barcodes to address this problem and to provide additional information to stress the value of species conservation, evolution and systematics of the species.

Background

Vietnam stretches from 23^o22’N in the north to 8^o30’N in the south, and has a total area of 329,600km² with three quarters of mountains and hills. Forests have undergone a rapid decline for many years. Currently the rate of forest loss is estimated at an average rate of 150,000 hectares per year. Deforestation is one of the most important factors to threaten to the survival of many plant species. Moreover, over-exploitation leads to the dramatic reduction of plant species, as well. At present, we have a serious lack of information on DNA barcodes of all plant species, especially threatened plants. In order to improve our understanding and conservation biology. This study will be the first barcoding initiative to identify species in Paphiopedilum and Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) with ca. 70 species. Many of these are threatened and listed in Red Data Book at global and national level, such as Paphiopedilum vietnamese (EW- extinction in wild), P. malipoensis (EX- extinction), P. delenatii (CR), P. micranthum (EN), P. emersonii (EN), P. concolor (VU), Dendrobium amabile (EN), D. aphyllum (VU), D. bellatulum (VU), many others.

Logistics

We will carried out for investigating threatened plant species in Orchidaceae in Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Son La, Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, Bac Can, Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, Vinh Phuc, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Lam Dong and Kon Tum. These investigations could allow the assessment of protected status and comments to improve the management of the species. We will sample 120 species in Paphiopedilum and Dendrobium, with two herbarium specimens for each species, plus a leaf sample or inner bark in Silica gel. DNA extraction, amplification of genetic regions (matK, ndhJ and rpoC1) for each species and sequencing will be implemented at Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Vietnam National Museum of Nature (VAST), Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Institute of Biotechnology (Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology - VAST). Herbarium specimens will be stored at Vietnam National Museum of Nature (VAST).

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