International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 1-9 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 2 as molecular markers and genome sequencing, which can help us find useful genes faster and make breeding faster and simpler (Mursyidin et al., 2023). The main purpose of this study is to see where the durian in Southeast Asia came from first and how it spread to other places. We are particularly interested in whether there is any genetic exchange between wild durian and artificially cultivated durian. We have also compiled some new research results to see how durian spread step by step. Next, we will discuss whether these research results are helpful for the genetic protection and sustainable cultivation of durian. We also hope that these studies can be of some use in breeding, to see if we can cultivate better-tasting, more nutritious, and more profitable durian in the future. These research results should have some reference value for the future protection and breeding direction of durian, and can also help durian improve its nutritional and economic benefits. 2 Genetic Origin of Southeast Asian Durian 2.1 Evolutionary history and phylogenesis of durian Durian is a very important fruit in Southeast Asia, with a very long history of cultivation. Its evolution has a lot to do with the geography and climate here. In some countries, people think that durian represents wealth, some think it symbolizes power, and of course many people just like its unique taste. Teh et al. (2017) found that durian and cotton have some similar genes. This may be because the geology and climate in Southeast Asia have undergone great changes in the past. However, these genetic changes did not make durian evolve very quickly, probably because durian itself grows relatively slowly. This study helps us understand more clearly how durian evolves. Mursyidin (2022) found that durian in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, varies greatly when studying durian. Some can resist floods, and some can resist insects. Local people basically do not use pesticides when planting trees, so durian gradually grows different characteristics. After analyzing with genetic technology, he found that these varieties are very closely related, which may be related to the local ecology and long-term planting methods. Later, Mursyidin et al. (2023) also studied some key genes in durian. They found that the genes of the two species, D. zibethinus and D. lowianus, are very similar, which they believe may be due to both natural and human influences on durian evolution. 2.2 Distribution of wild durian populations Wild durian can be seen in many places in Southeast Asia. These durians look different and have different genes. For example, in Nias Island, Indonesia, some people specialize in studying durian there. Hannum et al. (2020) used a method called “RAPD” to analyze their genes. They found that there are many types of durian there, divided into 13 groups in total. The durian in each group comes from different places. This shows that the genes of these durians are very rich and are a valuable resource. Aziz et al. (2017) also studied wild durian. They found that these durians are usually scattered in small areas. But there is still gene exchange between these small groups. This is because animals such as bats and bees fly between durian trees to help pollinate, carrying pollen from one tree to another. In this way, durian can exchange genes with each other. Human activities can also affect the genetic exchange of these durians. Sometimes people go into the forest to pick durian or cut down trees for planting, which may give the durians that were originally separated the opportunity to come into contact with each other. Although this may bring new genetic combinations, it may also destroy the original growth environment of durian. Therefore, Mursyidin et al. (2024) believe that protecting wild durian is not only about protecting the tree itself, but also about protecting the forest where durian grows. 2.3 Early domestication and selection of cultivated varieties People in Southeast Asia have been growing durian for a long time, perhaps as early as the late Neolithic period. At first, people chose to grow those durians with large fruits and sweet taste. Over time, different durian varieties appeared in different places. They look very different. Some have thick flesh, while others have very thorny skin. Some have small seeds, while others have large seeds. People in some places also look at the flowering of durian, such as how many flowers bloom and whether the pollen is good, which will affect whether the durian can produce good fruits (Aziz and Jalil, 2019). Now Thailand has several particularly famous durian varieties, such as “Golden Pillow” and “Green Nee”; Malaysia also has “Musang King”. These varieties are also very different in
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