International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 1-9 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 4 climates. These studies help us better understand how durian adapts to different environments. In the future, these useful genes can come in handy when breeding to help us pick out durian that is more suitable for certain areas. 3.3 Implications of gene flow for conservation and breeding In fact, wild durian and the durian we grow now do exchange genes with each other. This "gene flow" is helpful for the protection and breeding of durian. To protect durian, we must first understand the relationship between each variety. For example, we should give priority to protecting the durian with a small number; some varieties are particularly good and can also be used as “parents” for breeding (Huy et al., 2023). Scientists have now found many “genetic markers” that can help us distinguish the genetic differences between different varieties more clearly. Through these markers, we can know which durian is suitable for breeding and select varieties that are more suitable for local weather (Lin et al., 2022). Protecting wild durian is also crucial. Although some wild durians don't taste very good and there are not many of them, they may have very useful genes, such as drought resistance and disease resistance. If we want to breed new durians that can withstand weather changes in the future, we may have to rely on these genes to help (Mursyidin et al., 2024). Therefore, protecting wild durian is not just about preserving a variety, but also for the future of durian. The more we protect it now, the more genes we can use in future breeding, and the greater the chance of producing new durian. 4 Dispersal Pathways of Durian Germplasm 4.1 Role of human migration and trade networks In the past, when people moved, they often took durian seeds or saplings with them. In this way, durian followed people and spread from one place to another. Later, people started to do durian business, and it was no longer just for their own family. Durian became an agricultural product that can be bought and sold. More and more people did durian business, and durian was brought to more places. Gradually, durian began to be grown in many countries in Southeast Asia, and people became more and more familiar with it. Take Thailand as an example. There are now several famous durian varieties there, such as Kradumthong, Monthong and Puangmanee. The emergence of these varieties is not accidental, but people spent a lot of time and selected them bit by bit (Nawae et al., 2023). In recent years, China has also begun to grow durian. Since 2018, China has imported a lot of durian seedlings from Southeast Asia. Many durian orchards have been built in places like Hainan. This shows that as long as someone wants to grow and sell it, durian can quickly gain a foothold in a new place (Lin et al., 2022). 4.2 Ecological and environmental factors in germplasm dispersal In addition to humans, the environment also plays a big role in the spread of durian. When durian blooms, animals are needed to help spread pollen. Flying bats are important pollinators. For example, black-tailed flying bats (Pteropus melanotus) fly to durian trees at night to eat nectar. They take away pollen while eating, and when they fly to other places, they pass the pollen over, and may also spread durian seeds (Aziz et al., 2017). Therefore, the presence or absence of these animals has a great impact on whether durian can reproduce smoothly. If there are fewer pollinating animals, durian seeds will not be easily spread. Durian also has requirements for the environment. The humid and hot climate of the tropical rainforest is particularly suitable for the growth of durian, the seeds are easy to germinate, and the saplings grow fast. But if the forest is cut down, or animals such as bats disappear, the spread range of durian will become smaller. Tan et al. (2020) also found that the genetic structure of durian is closely related to the environment in which it lives. In other words, in order for durian to continue to reproduce healthily, it is necessary to protect its growth environment and the animals that help it pollinate. 4.3 Modern approaches to germplasm conservation and utilization Nowadays, people use many new technologies to protect and utilize durian germplasm resources. Simply put, it is to first find out what genes durian has, and then breed or preserve them based on this information. Whole genome sequencing and SSR technology are currently commonly used tools. Siew et al. (2018) used these methods to study the genes of durian and found out which varieties have more special genes and which are more suitable to be kept. These results can help scientists make more accurate judgments. There are still many new methods to preserve durian germplasm. For example, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has frozen and preserved the embryos of 34 wild durians at an ultra-low temperature of -196℃, so that they can be preserved for a long time without
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