2025-03-28https://repository.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/handle/123456789/35815Dacryodes edulis - African Pear is of socio-economic importance in the Southern region of Nigeria where it is a major auxiliary revenue source for farmers. Cluster and Principal Component analyses of the fruit data showed three distinct groupings: small-sized fruit, large-sized fruit and an intermediary group of mixed fruit types. These reflect the cadre of genetic diversity inherent in the taxon and constitute a possible veritable tool for its improvement. Notwithstanding, the diversity, the prevailing spread pattern of the taxon across the region threatens to erode a section of the species genetic richness; the small-sized fruit types - var. parvicarpa, as well as undermine the genetic integrity of large-sized fruit - var. edulis population. The trend is driven by a vendor/farmer preference for the large-sized fruit type across the region, and except there is delibrate In situ and Ex situ conservation efforts, these intraspecific diversities of the species may be lost altogether.application/pdfQK BotanyArticle