The differences between Paphiopedilum barbatum (Lindl.) and Papiopedilum callosum (Rchb.f.) Stein var. sublaeve (Rchb.f.) P.J. Cribb

The genus Paphiopedilum is a flagship species among orchids and comprises of some of the most sought after orchids for its beauty and rarity. Thus, all Paphiopedilum are placed in CITES Appendix I. Among orchids, Paphiopedilum has the most revised literature. In spite of this, misidentifications tend to occur even in publications. This is mainly due to the close resemblance that some species have with each other. Identification is important for the accurate knowledge on the distribution of the species done through biodiversity inventories as this can result in the decision making of environmental policies and conservation strategies. In the case of P. barbatum and P. callosum var. sublaeve, methods used for the correct species identification include morphological study, distribution and DNA barcoding. The morphology presents many similarities between both species but with some differences in the petal angle, staminode shape and the presence of ciliated hair on the petal margins. Distributions of both species in Peninsular Malaysia do not overlap. DNA barcoding using the molecular markers; rbcL, matK and ITS, were used to differentiate both species. Analysis of sequences generated shows ITS and matK forming two separate clades for each species in Neighbour-Joining trees. The rbcL sequences provided poor species resolution as evidenced from the formation of multiple clades for both species. Presence of barcoding gap and BLAST results were used to confirm the two species. DNA barcoding is an effective taxonomic tool and accuracy is increased when morphology and distribution data are included

Hedging Season: The Effect of Hedging Using Financial Derivatives on Firm Value of Publicly-Listed Non-Financial Firms in the Philippines

Firms use financial derivatives as a way to hedge risky transactions to avoid financial risks. Studies have focused on firms’ use of financial derivatives in developed countries. However, there is limited research done on emerging markets like the Philippines because these economies have only recently adapted advanced reporting standards that obligate the disclosure of the nature and extent of risks resulting from the use of financial instruments. We used Tobin’s Q ratio to proxy for firm value and to determine the presence of a hedging premium. Because derivatives are used by firms to hedge against currency risks, interest rate risks, and commodity price risks, we hypothesize that the use of financial derivatives by firms has a positive and statistically significant effect on firm value

Derivative Initiative: Does the Use of Financial Derivatives Influence Firm Value in the Philippine Context?

Firms use financial derivatives as a way to hedge risky transactions to avoid financial risks. Studies have focused on firms’ use of financial derivatives in developed countries. However, there is limited research done on emerging markets like the Philippines because these economies have only recently adapted advanced reporting standards that obligate the disclosure of the nature and extent of risks resulting from the use of financial instruments. We used Tobin’s Q ratio to proxy for firm value and determine the presence of a hedging premium. Because derivatives are used by firms to hedge against currency risks, interest rate risks, and commodity price risks, we hypothesize that the use of financial derivatives by firms has a positive and statistically significant effect on firm value

Identification of simple sequence repeats (SSR) loci in Vanda Mimi Palmer expressed sequence tag database as potential marker(s) suitable for screening fragrance-related vandaceous and non-vandaceous orchids

Vanda Mimi Palmer (VMP) was largely cultivated for its intoxicating fragrance, huge commercial value and potential. It is a hybrid produced by crossing Vanda Tan Chay Yan and Vanda tessellate. Since fragrance characteristics of vandaceous orchids could not be determined based on the vegetative parts when the flowers are absent, our study is targeting on producing markers to detect their fragrance characteristics without the inflorescence. In our previous study, 2132 ESTs were generated from the VMP floral cDNA library. A total of 2,195 primer pairs were designed based on the mined EST-SSRs and primer pairs with amplicon size ranging from 100bp to 400bp and SSRs with three to five repeats were selected. A total of hundred and fifty primer pairs were chosen for PCR optimization performed using genomic DNA of VMP. Only 39 primer pairs were successfully optimised showing single banding pattern on 7% polyacrylamide gel (PAGE) and sent for sequencing. Three amplicons (obtained using the three primer pairs designated as P106, P117 and P140) showed the presence of the expected SSR. The primers were tested on genomic DNA extracted from other fragrant vandaceous and non-vandaceous orchids, and successfully amplified identical target region as in VMP. The presence of highly conserved and similar EST-SSRs sequences might serve as evidence of structural conservation and relationships across orchid species. Hence, we suggest these three primer pairs can be utilized to detect other vandaceous and non-vandaceous orchids

An assessment of genetic variation in vulnerable Borneo Ironwood Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm. & Binn. in Sarawak using SSR markers

Borneo Ironwood Eusideroxylon zwageri Teijsm. & Binn. has high market value for its valuable and durable tmber, which has put it at risk due to illegal logging. This study analyzed E. zwageri genetic variation using four microsatellite markers in populations at Nirwana Rehabilitation Forest (NRF), and Tatau, Sarawak. We found that 20.1% of total genetic variation corresponded to differences between populations, while 79.9% was attributed to differences among individuals from the same population. The Tatau population had lower genetic diversity compared to NRF, and both populations showed depressed heterozygosity indicative of inbreeding. Allelic data were also used to confirm variety level differences proposed by earlier workers, and three informal varieties: zwageri, grandis, and exilis were recognized in the study area. It is expected that the results from this study could serve as baseline data for conservation of this vulnerable species

Vinca alkaloids

Vinca alkaloids are a subset of drugs obtained from the Madagascar periwinkle plant. They are naturally extracted from the pink periwinkle plant, Catharanthus roseus G. Don and have a hypoglycemic as well as cytotoxic effects. They have been used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and have been used as disinfectants. The vinca alkaloids are also important for being cancer fighters. There are four major vinca alkaloids in clinical use: Vinblastine (VBL), vinorelbine (VRL), vincristine (VCR) and vindesine (VDS). VCR, VBL and VRL have been approved for use in the United States. Vinflunine is also a new synthetic vinca alkaloid, which has been approved in Europe for the treatment of second‑line transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium is being developed for other malignancies. Vinca alkaloids are the second‑most‑used class of cancer drugs and will stay among the original cancer therapies. Different researches and studies for new vinca alkaloid applications will be carried out in this regard

Development of species-specific SCAR markers for identification and authentication of three rare Peninsular Malaysian endemic Coelogyne (Orchidaceae) orchids

Background: Coelogyne kaliana, Coelogyne stenochila and Coelogyne tiomanensis are three valuable rare orchid species endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, currently rampantly traded illegally via the internet and through local nurseries, which label them as hybrids to avoid enforcement detection. Drastic measures to ensure the continued existence of their populations in the wild should be introduced as they are rapidly diminishing into extinction, including the development of rapid and accurate species-specific identification tools. These three orchid species are highly similar morphologically and currently it is impossible to distinguish among them without their reproductive structures. Methods: RAPD-based species-specific SCAR markers were developed to distinguish and authenticate the identity of these three endemic Peninsular Malaysian Coelogyne species. Results: Three SCAR markers were successfully developed in this study. SCAR marker primer pair , CKL_f / CKL_r was specific to C. kaliana as it produced a unique single band of 271 bp but not in C. stenochila and C. tiomanensis. SCAR marker primer pair CST_f / CST_r amplified a single band of 854 bp in C. stenochila and two bands of different sizes (372 bp and 858 bp) in C. tiomanensis, but no amplification in C. kaliana. The third SCAR marker primer pair, CTI_f / CTI_r produced a single band (about 500 bp) for both C. stenochila and C. tiomanensis, but showed no amplification in C. kaliana. Conclusions: Although not all these SCAR markers were species amplification specific, they could be used to discriminate among the three Coelogyne species effectively. Accurate species identification is one of the most important steps to allow a proper management plan to be established in the effort to conserve these three endangered orchid species of Peninsular Malaysia. Besides, it could effectively put a stop to the illegal trading of these rare endangered orchid species worldwide

DNA barcoding of endangered Paphiopedilum species (Orchidaceae) of Peninsular Malaysia

In this study, the efficacy of four DNA markers and their combinations (rbcL, matK, ITS, trnH-psbA) as barcode markers were tested across the endangered Paphiopedilum species from Peninsular Malaysia. Four species of Paphiopedilum were sampled and barcoded. The DNA barcodes reliabilities were evaluated using NCBI BLASTn program, phylogenetic tree via Neighbour-Joining method with 1000 bootstrap replicates in MEGA 6 and barcoding gap assessment. matK is the most promising barcode with high sequence quality (100%), high accuracy in BLASTn (100%), clear resolution of species in Neighbour-Joining phylogenetic tree (100%) and a distinct barcoding gap followed by ITS, trnH-psbA and rbcL. The combination of barcode regions revealed the lack of variation in rbcL and trnH-psbA but they are still useful for preliminary identification followed up by matK for accurate identification

A review on molecular systematic of the genus Dendrobium Sw.

One of the most important genera in the family Orchidaceae is genus Dendrobium with 800-1400 species in the world. This genus spreads from Korea and Japan through South- east Asia, west to Himalayas, east in to Philippines, and south through Indonesia, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia, with more than 150 species in New Guinea . Dendrobium plants are one of the most popular orchids for its medicinal and commercial value in potted and cut flower industries. Most of the orchids prefer the tropical regions with high annual rain fall and without drought season to grow. Malaysia has this climatic situation, so it is suitable area for orchids to thrive well. Previous morphological studies have not supported the systematic of this genus so it needs a deeper analysis and using more species. Problems associated with variability and plant habit could easily caused confusion in species identification. As a result, advance studies need to be performed for this genus using more robust characters than morphological characters. Molecular systematic and phylogenetic studies that have been done in last years and will be done in the feature research will provides comprehensive information to be used as a powerful tool for conservation of endemic and endangered species. This paper is a review of previous molecular studies that have been done on this important genus in the world that will help us to select the best method for molecular systematic studies of this genus in Malaysia for future researches

Phylogenetic relationships of the orchid genus Coelogyne in Peninsular Malaysia inferred from morphological characteristics and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence data

The phylogenetic relationships among the Peninsular Malaysian orchid genus Coelogyne were studied by morphological characteristics and sequence data of the internal transcribed region (ITS) from the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA). Coelogyne is a large genus of about 200 species distributed in pantropical areas from the Himalayas, Sri Lanka, India, Southern China and throughout South East Asia to Papua New Guinea. The widely accepted previous classification system was exclusively based on floral morphology. There were very few molecular systematic studies of Coelogyne done in Peninsular Malaysia thus far. In this study, 59 Coelogyne samples were collected throughout Peninsular Malaysia and 57 of them were identified to the species level. To study the phylogeny of this genus, morphological characters were utilized together with molecular evidences to generate the systematic hypotheses. Cluster analysis was performed using both the vegetative and floral characters. The results showed that three sections of Peninsular Malaysian Coelogyne, namely Longifoliae, Speciosae, and Fuliginosae were sister groups which were more closely related by forming one clade by itself. Another clade consisted of four other sections, namely Flaccidae, Coelogynae, Tomentosae, and Verrucosae. Molecular phylogenies obtained by using the Neighbour-Joining method showed the close relationship between the sections Tomentosae and Verrucosae, whereas usage of the Maximum Likelihood method demonstrated that three sections, namely Longifoliae, Speciosae, and Fuliginosae, were sister groups since they formed a single clade