The genus Cucumis has undergone considerable revision in recent years. For instance, molecular phylogenetic studies indicated that the genera such as Cucumella, Mukia, Dicaelospermum, Myrmecosicyos,and Oreosyce possess genetic affinities with Cucumis
species resulting in their inclusion in Cucumis in more recent taxonomic treatments [8-10]. The genus Cucumis in the newest treatment contains 52 species, which are
grouped into two subgenera: Humifructus (two species, C. humifructus and C. hirsutus) and Cucumis (consisting of the remaining 50 species) [9,11]. In addition, both
melon and cucumber are believed to be of Asian origin,
which were derived from a common ancestor approximately
nine million years ago [12].