International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 52-61 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 60 3) Ecological Genomics: Investigating the interaction between Cucurbitaceae species and their environments through the lens of ecological genomics can yield insights into how these plants adapt to biotic and abiotic stresses. Such studies are crucial for understanding the impact of climate change on plant distributions and for developing resilient Cucurbitaceae cultivars. 4) Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo): Exploring the developmental basis of morphological traits in Cucurbitaceae through an evolutionary framework will aid in understanding how developmental processes have been shaped by natural selection and how they contribute to the ecological success of the family. 5) Enhanced Collaboration and Data Sharing: Given the rapid pace of technological advancement in genomics, fostering an international collaborative network and promoting open data sharing policies would accelerate the pace of discovery and application in Cucurbitaceae research. In conclusion, while the advancements in genetics and genomics have dramatically advanced our understanding of the Cucurbitaceae family, continued exploration and integration of these insights into a coherent framework for plant research and breeding are essential for harnessing the full potential of these findings. The future of Cucurbitaceae research holds great promise for revealing even deeper insights into plant biology and for the development of sustainable agricultural practices. Funding This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 32030093, 32172570, 3234100301), the ‘JBGS’ Project of Seed Industry Revitalization in Jiangsu Province (grant No. JBGS[2021]018), and the Jiangsu Agricultural Innovation of New Cultivars (grant No. PZCZ201720). Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Bellot S., Mitchell T., and Schaefer H., 2020, Phylogenetic informativeness analyses to clarify past diversification processes in Cucurbitaceae, Scientific Reports, 10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-57249-2 PMid:31949198 PMCid:PMC6965171 Dudwadkar S., Parab M., and Singh S., 2015, Diversity analysis among few Cucurbitaceae using seed protein profile, The International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences. Fukino N., and Kawazu Y., 2016, DNA Markers in Cucurbitaceae Breeding, 59-74. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48535-4_5 Ghebretinsae A., Thulin M., and Barber J., 2007, Relationships of cucumbers and melons unraveled: molecular phylogenetics of Cucumis and related genera (Benincaseae, Cucurbitaceae), American journal of botany, 947: 1256-1266. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.94.7.1256 PMid:21636491 Guo J., Xu W.B., Hu Y., Huang J., Zhao Y.Y., Zhang L., Huang C.H., and Ma H., 2020, Phylotranscriptomics in Cucurbitaceae reveal multiple whole genome duplications and key morphological and molecular innovations, Molecular plant. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2020.05.011 PMid:32445889 Heneidak S., and Khalik K., 2015, Seed coat diversity in some tribes of Cucurbitaceae: implications for taxonomy and species identification, Acta Botanica Brasilica, 29: 129-142. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-33062014abb3705 Jaklitsch W., Checa J., Blanco M., Olariaga I., Tello S., and Voglmayr H., 2017, A preliminary account of the Cucurbitariaceae, Studies in Mycology, 90: 71-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simyco.2017.11.002 PMid:29276320 PMCid:PMC5738211 Jobst J., King K., and Hemleben V., 1998, Molecular evolution of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and phylogenetic relationships among species of the family Cucurbitaceae, Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 92: 204-19. https://doi.org/10.1006/mpev.1997.0465 PMid:9562980
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