IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) e-ISSN: 2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 10, Issue 6 Ver. II (Nov - Dec. 2015), PP 100-115 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/3008-1062100115 www.iosrjournals.org 100 | Page Variation Of Phytolith Morphotypes Of Some Members Of Cucurbitaceae Juss. 1 Ebigwai JK 1 , Nyannayo, BL 2 , Egbe, A E 1 , Asuquo, E 1 & Aniekebo, I.H 1 1 Department of Botany, University of Calabar 2 Department of Plant science & Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt Corresponding Author ’s details: Dr JK EBIGWAI, ebijoe4@gmail.com Abstract: Phylogenic investigations of eleven members of cucurbitaceae using phytolith morphotypes was examined. The eleven members are Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis sativus, Cucumis dipsaceus, Citrullus lanatus, Melothria sphaerocarpa, , Cucurbita maxima , Luffa cylindrica, Telfairia occidentalis, Lageneria siceraria, Lageneria breviflora and Telfairia occidentalis. The specimens were subjected to standard methods of phytolith preparartions. The result indicated forty various morphotypes Some of them are acuminate, arrow, bilobate, chloridoid, clavate, cordate, crenate, cross thick shank, cuneiform, dumb bell, elongate, fusiform, lanceolate, oblong, orbicular, ovate, rectangular, saddle, scrobiculate, tabular, trapeziform, and several unidentified morphotypes. Lagenaria siceraria and Telfairia occidentalis had the highest and lowest numbers of morphotypes with eighteen and five respectively. There were some shapes that are characteristics of some species. Fo instance, forked shape was observed only in Luffa cylindrica, Y and pentagular shapes were recorded in Cucurbita pepo only, hexagonal and parallelepipedal in Lagenaria siceraria while square and carinate were observed in Cucurbita maxima only. One unidentified morphotype was found to be common to all the investigated species. When these qualitative data obtained was converted to numerical taxonomy using dismilarity matrix, a dendrogram was produced using nearest neighbour. Four inferences could be deduce from the study. First, Citrullus lanatus is the out group taxon. Second, Lagenaria breviflora, Lagenaria siceraria and Cucumis sativus share closer apomorphies than they do with other taxa. Third, Cucurbita pepo, Trichosanthes cucumerina, and Luffa cylindrica share close affinities among themselves and also with Curcubita maxima and Melothria sphaerocarpa. Fourth, Cucumis dipsaceus and Telfairia occidentalis share close affinities but are distantly related to Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis sativus and the other taxon under investigation. The study concludes by recommending transfer of Cucumis dipsaceus to Telfairia and to be nested in the tribe Jolliffieae. Also, the species Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima should be re examined with a view to nesting it among Melothria in Benincaseae instead of the present Tribe of Cucurbiteae where it is nested. Keywords: Cucurbitoid, Dendrogram , Phytolith, Benincaseae, and Lagenaria, Tribe. I. Introduction Cucurbitaceae, a family of succulent climbing vines whose leaves are simple, palmate and exstipulate (Daniel, 2009) and consisting of about several members in Nigeria are used for a variety of indigenous purposes. These purposes include medicinal, nutritive, fodders, cover crops, musical instruments, spices and other sundry products (Steiner Asiedu et, et. al 2014, Odugbemi, 2006, Warncke 2007, Mabberly, 1997, Gill 1992 and Okoli 1984,). For instance, Odugbemi 2006 and Gills 1992 reported the usage of Coccinia barteri, Coccinia grandis, Cucumis melo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita pepo, Lagenaria breviflora, Lagenaria siceraria, Luffa cylindrica, Momordica angustisepala, Momordica charantia, Momordica foetida, Mukia maderaspatana, Telfairia occidentalis, Trichosanthes cucumerina, Cucumis prophetarum, Cucumeropsis mannii, in the treatment of diabetes convulsion, piles, fungal diseases, chest pains, chicken pox, and cough. Okoye, 2013 reported the nutritive value of Trichosanthes cucumerina, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita pepo. Gills 1992, reported the use of Cucurbita, Luffa, Lagenaria and Raphanus species as vegetable crops. Ruminants and other herbivorous fauna species depend on the leaves of most cucurbits for roughages and as fodders. The use of the dried fruits of Lagenaria and Luffa for flute and as drinking cup for palm wine is a common sight in most Nigerian indigenous communities. The utilization of members of this family as non timber forest products has far reaching positive implications on the lives of the individual and that of the society at large. For instance, in most rural Nigerian communities whose inhabitants live on a less than a dollar per day (FAOSTAT 2015) the utilization of the members of this family for the aforementioned various uses serve as invaluable revenue earner, provide a local alternative to processed products and above all, serve to expose the improvisation ingenuity of