vet, this is a scientifically correct and quite powerful theory.
The extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago was a critical turning point in the global spread and diversification of grapes (and modern tropical fruit forests in general).
Impacts of Dinosaurs on Grape Distribution
The main reasons behind this situation are as follows:
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Change in Forest Structure and the “Light” Factor
Dinosaurs (especially gigantic herbivorous sauropods) continuously toppled trees, broke branches, and created large clearings in forested areas during their time. This caused forests to remain more open and sparse.- After dinosaurs: When the giant creatures disappeared, forests quickly became dense, trees grew closer, and a thick tree canopy that covered the sky formed.
- Effect on grapes: Climbing plants (vines) like grapes evolved to climb trees to reach light in order to survive in this dark forest structure. If dinosaurs had existed, these dense forests and thus climbing plants could not have developed so easily.
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Emergence of Mammals and Birds (Seed Dispersal)
With the disappearance of large dinosaurs, small mammals and birds rapidly began to diversify and grow.- During the dinosaur era: When large dinosaurs ate fruits and seeds, their massive digestive systems usually completely ground and destroyed these seeds.
- After dinosaurs: Newly evolving birds and mammals, when they ate fleshy fruits like grapes, transported the seeds over long distances via feces without digesting them. This dramatically accelerated the geographical spread of grapes worldwide.
Scientific Evidence
In a study published in Nature Plants in 2024, scientists found fossilized grape seeds (from the Vitaceae family) dating back 60 to 19 million years ago in Colombia, Panama, and Peru. The fact that the oldest discovered grape seed fossils date precisely to shortly after the extinction of dinosaurs (approximately 60 million years ago) is considered the most concrete data proving this theory.
The Climbing Nature of Grapes
vet, the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is a climbing (twining) woody plant according to botany.
In its natural habitat, it cannot stand upright on its own stem. To reach light, it grows by clinging to surrounding trees, rocks, or supports.
Grape Climbing Mechanism and Characteristics
The grape’s climbing mechanism and its characteristics in this process are as follows:
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Attachment with Tendrils
The grapevine has thread-like appendages called tendrils that emerge directly opposite its leaves. When these appendages find a branch, wire, or support in the air or upon contact, they touch it, and with a touch stimulus (thigmotropism), they rapidly rotate clockwise and wrap around the support. Once attached, they lignify and pull the vine upwards. -
Forest Strategy
In the tropical forests that became denser after the extinction of dinosaurs, grapes chose to develop fast-growing slender stems instead of expending energy on building a thick and massive trunk. They use the trunks of other trees as a “ladder” to reach the sunlight at the very top. -
Status in Agriculture (Viticulture)
This plant, which climbs meters high in nature, is kept under control by humans in agriculture (viticulture):- Stakes and Wire Systems: Rows of wires or wooden supports are used in vineyards to manage the vines’ climbing instinct.
- Pruning: If the vine is left unchecked, it will expend energy constantly climbing upwards and producing leaves instead of yielding fruit. Therefore, harsh pruning is performed annually to direct the plant’s energy towards grape clusters rather than climbing.