Abstract
Laelia speciosa (Kunth) Schltr., is an epiphytic orchid endemic to Mexico, naturally found in cold, dry mountainous regions at elevations between 1,400 and 2,400 meters above sea level. It is protected under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 and is subject to international trade restrictions due to illegal harvesting and habitat destruction. This study aimed to develop alternative propagation methods and perform molecular characterization of L. speciosa using in vitro techniques and molecular markers. Different conditions for seed germination, shoot multiplication, and acclimatization were tested. Molecular analysis was conducted using RAPD markers with 16 a-series primers. The highest germination rates were achieved with the addition of benzyladenine, WS vitamins, and malt extract. A combination of 2,4-D and kinetin promoted optimal explant development, while a substrate composed of red tezontle and peat supported successful acclimatization. Molecular characterization with RAPD markers revealed genetic variation both within and between species. These findings emphasize the importance of species-specific in vitro protocols, combined with molecular tools, for conserving and propagating this endemic orchid.
References
Abbas, B., Dailami, M., & Listyorini, F. M. (2017). Genetic variations and relationships of Papua’s endemic orchids based on RAPD markers. Natural Science, 9(11), 377–385. https://doi.org/10.4236/ns.2017.911035
Aguilar, M. M. A., & López, E. A. L. (2013). Germinación in vitro de Laelia speciosa (Kunth) Schltr., una herramienta para su conservación ex situ. En estudios científicos en el estado de Hidalgo y zonas aledañas; Pulido, F. G., Monks, S. Eds.; Zea Books: Lincoln, NE, USA. 2, 18–24. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/hidalgo/5
Alkhayri, J. M., Mahdy, E. M. B., Taha, H. S. A., Eldomiaty, A. S., Abd, E. M. A., Latef, A. A. H. A., Rezk, A. A., Shehata, W. F., Almaghasla, M. I., Shalaby, T. A., Sattar, M. N., Ghazzawy, H. S., Awad, M. F., Alali, K. M., Jain, S. M., & Hassanin, A. A. (2022). Genetic and morphological diversity assessment of five kalanchoe genotypes by SCoT, ISSR, and RAPD-PCR markers. Plants, 11(13), 1722-1734. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131722
Ávila, D. I., Oyama, K., Gómez, A. C., & Salgado, G. (2009). In vitro propagation of the endangered orchid Laelia speciosa. Plant cell tissue culture, 99, 335–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-009-9609-8
Ávila-Díaz, I. (2007) Biología de poblaciones de Laelia speciosa (HBK) Schltr. (Orchidaceae) para su manejo y conservación. Ph.D. Tesis, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México. https://ru.dgb.unam.mx/items/a6c6a546-2fef-4fd0-83e6-245e8b3d8162
Balilashaki, K., Zakizadeh, H., Olfati, J. A., & Soorni, A. (2024). The evaluation of genetic diversity among five Phalaenopsis species using IRAP and RAPD molecular markers. Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science, 55(1). https://doi.org/10.22059/ijhs.2023.343479.2030
Cardoso, J. C., Zanello, C. A., & Chen, J. T. (2020). An overview of orchid protocorm-like bodies: Mass propagation, biotechnology, molecular aspects, and breeding. International Journal of Molecular Science, 1(985). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21030985
Castellanos, R. M., Rosas, U., Guzmán, R. M. C., & Sandoval, Z. E. (2023). Contribution of morphoanatomic characters to the taxonomy of the genus Laelia (Orchidaceae) in Mexico and their implication in environmental adaptation. Plants, 12(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051089
Choopeng, S., Te-chato, S., & Khawnium, T. (2019). The use of RAPD markers for the verification of Dendrobium hybrids. International Journal of Agricultural Technology, 15 (3), 399–408. https://li04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/IJAT/article/view/8227
David, D., Rusdi, N. A., Mohd Mokhtar, R. A., Mohd Faik, A. A. M., & Gansau, J. A. (2022). Establishment of in vitro regeneration protocol for Sabah’s Jewel Orchid, Macodes limii J.J. Wood & A.L. Lamb. Horticulturae, 8(2), 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020155
Dellaporta, S. L., Wood, J., & Hicks, J. B. (1983). A plant DNA minipreparation: versión 2. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, 1, 19–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02712670
Erzurumlu, G. S., Sultana, N., Vural, M., & Serce, S. (2018). Genetic and phenotypic variation among Turkish terrestrial orchid species as revealed by RAPD and morphological characteristics. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 42(4), 227–236. https://doi.org/10.3906/tar-1711-37
Flores, T. M., García, V. R., Sáenz, R., C., Á., D. I., P., H., & López, T. L. (2020). Distribution and conservation of species is misestimated if biotic interactions are ignored: the case of the orchid Laelia speciosa. Scientific Reports, 10, 9542. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63638-9
Hartati S., Samanhudi, A., & Cahyono, O. (2023). Genetic similarity among Dendrobium species from Indonesia using RAPD markers. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity. Vol. 24 No. 9: 515-521. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d240945
Hon, Y. K., Yong, C. S. Y., Abdullah, J. O., & Go, R. (2020). Development of species-specific SCAR markers for identification and authentication of three rare Peninsular Malaysian endemic Coelogyne (Orchidaceae) orchids. F1000Research, 9, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.12688/F1000RESEARCH.26170.2
Jaccard, P. (1908). Nouvelles recherches sur la distribution florale. Bulletin de la Société vaudoise des sciences naturelles, 44(163), 23–270. https://doi.org/10.5169/seals-268384
Kumar, M., Chaudhary, V., Sirohi, U., Singh, M. K., Malik, S., & Naresh, R. K. (2018). Biochemical and molecular markers for characterization of chrysanthemum germplasm: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 7(5), 2641–2652. https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/view-pdf/5956/7-5-348
Lee, E. H. E., Laguna, C. A., Murguía, G. J., Elorza, M. P., Iglesias, A. L. G., García, R. B., Barredo, P. F. A., & Santana, B. N. (2007). Regeneración in vitro de Laelia anceps ssp. dawsonii. Revista Cientifica UDO Agrícola, 7, 58–67. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:85784940
Li, A., Luo, Y., & Ge, S. (2002). A Preliminary study on conservation genetics of an endangered orchid (Paphiopedilum micranthum) from southwestern China. Biochemical Genetics, 40 (5-6), 195–201. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1015888226416
Li, C., Dong, N., Zhao, Y., Wu, S., Liu, Z., & Zhai, J. (2021). A review for the breeding of orchids: Current achievements and prospects. Horticultural Plant Journal, 7(5), 380-392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2021.02.006
Mayo, M. A., García, H. E., Noguera, S. E., Cetzal, I. W., & Alatorre, C. F. (2022). Advances in breeding, bioprospecting, and in vitro culture of Laelia orchid species. Horticulturae, 8(2), 103. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020103
Mayo, M. A., Maceda, L. L. F., Andrade, C. S. B., Noguera, S. E., Caamal, V. H., Cano, S. J. S., & Alatorre, C. F. (2020). Efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of Laelia rubescens Lindl. from asymbiotic seed germination. South African Journal of Botany, 133, 264–272. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020103
Medina, M. C., Rodríguez, O. J. L., & Mendoza, T. Y. (2023). Crioconservación de Laelia speciosa en peligro de extinción. Pädi Boletín Científico de Ciencias Básicas e Ingenierías del ICBI, 11(Especial), 100–104. https://doi.org/10.29057/icbi.v11iEspecial.10183
Murashige, T., & Skoog, F. (1962). A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiologia Plantarum, 15, 473–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.1962.tb08052.x
Mursyidin, D. H., Rubiansyah, M., & Badruzsaufari. B. (2022). Genetic relationship of several morphological and molecular characteristics of Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume orchids from the Meratus Mountains of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Forestry Research, 9(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.20886/ijfr.2022.9.1.63-72
NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, Norma Oficial Mexicana. (2010). Protección ambiental-especies nativas de México de flora y fauna silvestres-Categorías de riesgo y especificaciones para su inclusión, exclusión o cambio-lista de especies en riesgo. https://www.dof.gob.mx/normasOficiales/4254/semarnat/semarnat.htm
Ortega, L. M. M., Salgado, G. R., Gómez, A. C., & Ávila, D. I. (2011). Acclimatization of the endangered Mexican epiphytic orchid, Laelia speciosa (H.B.K.) SCHLTR. European Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1(2), 48–54. https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2015.46
Pujasatria, G. C., Miura, C., & Kaminaka, H. (2020). In vitro symbiotic germination: a revitalized heuristic approach for orchid species conservation. Plants, 9, 1742. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9121742
Sarabia, O. M. E., Ávila, D. I., Carlos, G. A., & Salgado, G. R. (2010). Callus growth and plant regeneration in Laelia speciosa (Orchidaceae). Lankesteriana, 10, 13–18. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14330/PER01000327404
Shan, X. C., Liew, E. C. Y., W., M. A., & Hodgkiss, I. J. (2002). Characterization and taxonomic placement of Rhizoctonia-like endophytes from orchid roots. Mycologia, 94(2), 230–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/15572536.2003.11833228
Sheena, M. (2000). Manual para la germinación in vitro de orquídeas. Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation, 17 p. https://blog.solusan.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/germinacion_orquideas.pdf
Tran, T. K. P., Pham, M. H., Trinh, T. H., & Widiarsih, S. (2022). Investigation of the genetic diversity of jewel orchid in Vietnam using RAPD and ISSR markers. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 23(9). https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d230950
Wetmore, R. H., & Sorokin, S. (1955). On the differentiation of xylem. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum, 36, 305–317. https://dn760003.eu.archive.org/0/items/biostor-177437/biostor-177437.pdf
Yuhanna, W. L., Hartati, S., & Sugiyarto, M. (2021). Genetic variability of Phaius and Dendrobium orchids based on molecular markers. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 637 (1), 012036. https://doi.org/10.1088/17551315/637/1/012036

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Bio Ciencias