Molecular Diversity of Carica papaya and Related Species

Molecular diversity of Caricaceae species has been a frequent subject of research over the past decade. Genetic relationships among Caricaceae species were established using DNA markers derived from nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondria genomes. The accumulated molecular data contributed to 230reinstating Vasconcellea as a genus independent of the genus Carica in the family Caricaceae. These data provided evidence for the interspecific origin of some species, and support for a reticulate evolution for this genus. Within the cultivated species Carica papaya, limited genetic variations were detected among commercial cultivars, improved but not released breeding lines, and unimproved germplasm, reflecting the…