In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists in South America have come across the oldest fossilized grape seed ever found in the western neotropics. This tiny seed, which is approximately 60 million years old, was unearthed in Colombia in 2022, leaving paleobotanist Fabiany Herrera from Chicago’s Field Museum ecstatic. His colleague, Mónica Carvalho, stumbled upon the primeval seed on a rock in the Andes, marking a significant find in the history of grape vines.
Although a single prehistoric grape seed may not seem significant at first glance, the age of this fossil has led Herrera, Carvalho, and their team to reconsider the ancient timeline of grape vines on the continent. Presently, there are about 100 species of grape vines from Mexico to Patagonia. However, the fossil record of this tropical family has been sparse and historically biased towards North America and Eurasia.
Researchers have long speculated about the origins and distribution of grape seeds across the globe. The recent discovery of a 60-million-year-old seed from a species named Lithouva susmanii in South America has shed light on the rapid spread of grape vines following the extinction of most dinosaurs. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the restricted range of certain grape seed genuses.
The disappearance of dinosaurs had far-reaching effects on the ecosystem, including the plant life. Without the presence of large animals like dinosaurs, forests were able to grow more densely, providing an ideal environment for grape vine plants to thrive. The extinction event paved the way for the expansion of grape vines and other plant species across different continents.
The absence of dinosaurs allowed for a recalibration of forest ecosystems, leading to the proliferation of grape vines in crowded forests. These plants adapted to the changing landscape, utilizing the space made available by the loss of large, forest-altering animals. The restructuring of forests following the extinction event created opportunities for grape vines to establish themselves in new territories.
The extinction of dinosaurs played a crucial role in shaping the environment that eventually led to the domestication of tropical grape vines by humans approximately 8,000 years ago. This shift in the ecosystem allowed for the cultivation and utilization of grape vines for agricultural purposes, marking a significant development in the history of grape cultivation.
The discovery of the oldest fossilized grape seed in South America provides valuable insights into the evolution and spread of grape vines following the extinction of dinosaurs. This remarkable find challenges previous notions about the timeline and distribution of grape seeds, highlighting the profound impact of ecological changes on plant life in the aftermath of mass extinctions.