International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 52-61 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 52 Invited Review Open Access Integrative Insights into the Systematic Classification and Phylogenesis of Cucurbitaceae: A Comprehensive Review of Genetic and Genomic Advances Xiaodong Yang, Xuehao Chen School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China Corresponding author: xhchen@yzu.edu.cn International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2024, Vol.14, No.2 doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0007 Received: 10 Jan., 2024 Accepted: 16 Feb., 2024 Published: 25 Mar., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Yang and Chen, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Yang X.D., and Chen X.H., 2024, Integrative insights into the systematic classification and phylogenesis of Cucurbitaceae: a comprehensive review of genetic and genomic advances, International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 14(2): 52-61 (doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0007) Abstract The Cucurbitaceae family, with approximately 800 species across 130 genera, is of significant economic and botanical interest. Recent systematic reviews and phylogenetic analyses have provided new insights into the classification and evolutionary relationships within this diverse group. This systematic review synthesizes findings from multiple molecular studies, including chloroplast DNA sequences, nuclear ribosomal RNA genes, and various DNA regions from three plant genomes, to present an integrative perspective on the phylogeny of Cucurbitaceae. The traditional subfamilies and tribes have been re-evaluated, revealing weak support for the traditional subfamilies Cucurbitoideae and Nhandiroboideae, and the need for a reclassification of several genera due to polyphyly or paraphyly. Morphological characters such as flower and seed traits have been correlated with molecular data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of character evolution. Additionally, the review highlights the importance of molecular tools for species identification, particularly in genera with complex morphological variation. The proposed new classification system includes significant changes, with the establishment of new tribes and the re-circumscription of genera, reflecting a more natural phylogenetic order. This review underscores the dynamic nature of Cucurbitaceae systematics and the ongoing need for integrative approaches to understand the evolutionary history of this family. Keywords Cucurbitaceae; Phylogeny; Systematics; Molecular evolution; Classification; Species identification; Chloroplast DNA; Nuclear ribosomal RNA; Morphological characters The Cucurbitaceae family, commonly known as the gourd family, encompasses a diverse array of species that are of significant economic and ecological importance. This family includes a variety of crops that are integral to agriculture and human nutrition, as well as species that play crucial roles in their native ecosystems. The systematic classification and phylogenesis of Cucurbitaceae have been subjects of extensive research due to their complex evolutionary history and the challenges posed by their wide geographical distribution. Recent advances in genetic and genomic research have provided new insights into the phylogenetic relationships within the Cucurbitaceae family. A comprehensive phylogeny that includes 114 of the 115 genera and 25 percent of the species has revealed an Asian origin of the family in the Late Cretaceous, with subsequent dispersal events leading to the colonization of various continents (Schaefer et al., 2009). This extensive study utilized herbarium specimens from 30 different collections, highlighting the importance of museum collections in achieving broad geographical sampling for plant phylogenetics. Furthermore, the phylogeny of the broader order Cucurbitales, which includes Cucurbitaceae, has been elucidated through the sequencing of DNA from nine loci across three genomes. This research has provided a clearer picture of the morphological and sexual system evolution within the order, suggesting that features such as stipulate leaves, inferior ovaries, and parietal placentation are ancestral, while dioecy may have evolved early in the lineage that includes Cucurbitaceae (Zhang et al., 2006). The purpose of this systematic review is to integrate these recent genetic and genomic advances with existing knowledge to refine our understanding of the systematic classification and phylogenesis of the Cucurbitaceae family. By doing so, we aim to provide a more comprehensive framework that can inform future research in plant science, conservation efforts, and agricultural practices involving this vital group of plants.
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