biology Article Genetic Diversity and Identification of Vietnamese Paphiopedilum Species Using DNA Sequences Huyen-Trang Vu 1,2, Quoc-Luan Vu 3, Thanh-Diem Nguyen 1, Ngan Tran 2 , Thanh-Cong Nguyen 1, Phuong-Nam Luu 1, Duy-Duong Tran 4, Truong-Khoa Nguyen 4 and Ly Le 2,* 1 Faculty of Biotechnology, Nguyen-Tat-Thanh University, 298A-300A Nguyen-Tat-Thanh Street, District 04, Hochiminh City 700000, Vietnam;
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[email protected] (P.-N.L.) 2 Faculty of Biotechnology, International University—Vietnam National University, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Hochiminh City 700000, Vietnam;
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[email protected]; Tel.: +84-90-657-88-36 Received: 14 November 2019; Accepted: 20 December 2019; Published: 31 December 2019 Abstract: Paphiopedilum is among the most popular ornamental orchid genera due to its unique slipper flowers and attractive leaf coloration. Most of the Paphiopedilum species are in critical danger due to over-exploitation. They were listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which prevents their being traded across borders. While most Paphiopedilum species are distinctive, owing to their respective flowers, their vegetative features are more similar and undistinguished.