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Abstract
Taxonomic identification of Cucumis species and accessions in the gene bank are challenging among researchers due to morphological similarities when reproductive parts are not available. Variations in leaf architectural characters are commonly used to illustrate relationships among interspecific and intraspecific taxa. In this study, leaf architectural characters were used to determine variations among selected species and accessions of Cucumis. Five species of Cucumis were used, namely: C. melo, C. myriocarpus, C. anguria, C. metuliferus, and C. anguria var. longaculeatus. Ten accessions per species were examined, measured and described. Leaf architectural characterization was based on the established categories of Hickey (1973), LAWG (1999) and Ellis et al. (2009). Leaf architectural characters were subjected to cluster analysis. Similarities among Cucumis species and accessions examined include simple leaf, elliptic with distinct serrations at the margins, actinodromous suprabasal primary vein, craspedodromous secondary vein, regular polygonal reticulate quaternary vein and looped marginal ultimate venation. Results also showed that variations in leaf architecture among Cucumis species and accessions can be observed in secondary vein spacing, laminar shape, blade class, apex angle and primary vein size. These variations were supported with the result of cluster analysis wherein Cucumis species and accessions were successfully delineated based on these characters. Based on the results, leaf architecture is a useful tool in describing, classifying and delineating species and accessions of Cucumis.