DNA Barcoding Protocol for <i>Masdevallia</i> Orchids: A Tool for CITES-Based Identification and Trade Control

<b>Background</b>: Orchids of the <i>Masdevallia</i> genus are characterized by their beautiful esthetic qualities. However, they are vulnerable to habitat destruction, illegal harvesting, tourism and climate change. These extinction threats have led to the listing of all <i>Masdevallia</i> species in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and their selection by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Orchids are sold in various forms, e.g., stems or tubers, rendering them impossible to identify based on morphology alone. DNA barcoding is a method that enables reliable identification of organisms using DNA barcodes, and it offers an excellent solution to the need for efficient identification of <i>Masdevallia</i> orchids. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective locus for DNA barcode identification of <i>Masdevallia</i> orchids in order to develop a quick and practical identification method for this genus. Such a method can be used by CITES verification authorities to detect illegal trade. This is the first focused study to validate a DNA barcoding protocol for <i>Masdevallia</i> for CITES enforcement purposes. <b>Methods</b>: Three genetic regions were analyzed: <i>matK</i>, <i>rbcL</i>, and ITS. The effectiveness of identification was verified based on results obtained from the new version of the BOLD Systems v.5 reference database. <b>Results</b>: Although <i>Masdevallia</i> is not well represented in this database, successful identification to the genus level was achieved. <b>Conclusions</b>: The highest identification efficiency at the genus level was achieved for the ITS region (91%).