India Identified as Cradle of Jamun Evolution

Key facts

• A new study indicates that the genus Syzygium (Jamun) has an East Gondwanan origin dating back to approximately 80 million years ago, with India serving as a major centre of early diversification.
• The research was led by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), along with the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) and Tribhuvan University.
• Fossil specimens were collected from the Kasauli Formation in Himachal Pradesh, dating back approximately 20 million years.
• Researchers identified 11 well-preserved fossil leaves from the Early Miocene deposits as Syzygium paleosalicifolium Sadanand, Bhatia et Srivastav.
• Evidence suggests the genus was present in the Indian region since the early Eocene (55 million years ago) and subsequently dispersed to Australia and Southeast Asia.
• The study was published in the Journal of Palaeogeography.