Evolutionary and phytogeographic insights into Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) fossil seeds in South China from the Oligocene to Pleistocene

Key Points

• Fossil seeds from the Oligocene to Pleistocene reveal significant evolutionary insights about Zanthoxylum.
• The study finds that climatic changes influenced the distribution of Zanthoxylum, suggesting habitat shifts over time.
• Geological and climatic analyses show how South China's environmental conditions impacted the evolution of Rutaceae family members.
• Understanding these fossil records may help predict future biodiversity patterns amid changing climates.