Trade in Zambian Edible Orchids-DNA Barcoding Reveals the Use of Unexpected Orchid Taxa for Chikanda

• Published in: Genes Vol. 9; no. 12; p. 595
• Main Authors: Veldman, Sarina, Kim, Seol-Jong, van Andel, Tinde R, Bello Font, Maria, Bone, Ruth E, Bytebier, Benny, Chuba, David, Gravendeel, Barbara, Martos, Florent, Mpatwa, Geophat, Ngugi, Grace, Vinya, Royd, Wightman, Nicholas, Yokoya, Kazutoma, de Boer, Hugo J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 30-11-2018; M D P I AG; MDPI
• Subjects: chikanda; CITES; Collections; Conservation; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA barcoding; Endemic species; Field study; Identification; Life Sciences; Morphology; orchids; species identification; Threatened species; Tubers; Vegetal Biology; Wildlife conservation; Sweden; Zambia; United States > US; Tanzania; orchids; conservation; chikanda; species identification; CITES; DNA barcoding
• ISSN: 2073-4425; 2073-4425
• DOI: 10.3390/genes9120595

In Zambia, wild edible terrestrial orchids are used to produce a local delicacy called
, which has become increasingly popular throughout the country. Commercialization puts orchid populations in Zambia and neighbouring countries at risk of overharvesting. Hitherto, no study has documented which orchid species are traded on local markets, as orchid tubers are difficult to identify morphologically. In this study, the core land-plant DNA barcoding markers
and
were used in combination with nrITS to determine which species were sold in Zambian markets. Eighty-two interviews were conducted to determine harvesting areas, as well as possible sustainability concerns. By using nrITS DNA barcoding, a total of 16 orchid species in six different genera could be identified. Both
and
proved suitable to identify the tubers up to the genus or family level.
,
and
were identified most frequently and three previously undocumented species were encountered on the market. Few orchid species are currently listed on the global International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Local orchid populations and endemic species could be at risk of overharvesting due to the intensive and indiscriminate harvesting of
orchids, and we therefore encourage increased conservation assessment of terrestrial African orchids.