Bats originated in Europe, rewriting mammals’ family tree, study reveals
The Bat1K consortium analyzed 103 genomes and 44 fossils, finding that flight and echolocation evolved early in the lineage.
- On Wednesday, researchers publishing in the journal Nature revealed that bats originated in Europe approximately 65 million years ago, contradicting previous hypotheses proposing Asian, African, or North American origins around 50 million years ago.
- The Bat1K project, a collaboration of 134 researchers, conducted the largest combined bat genome and fossil study ever, analyzing 103 bat genomes and 44 fossils to redraw the bat family tree.
- Genetic evidence indicates that powered flight and echolocation evolved early in the bat lineage, present in the oldest branch of the family tree, Eochiroptera, roughly 50 million years ago.
- Understanding bat genetics could improve human health, as researchers seek to apply findings on disease resistance and longevity, while conservation biologist Liliana Davalos noted the work promotes ecological research given that approximately 80% of bat species face threats.
- While this study establishes a robust foundation, researchers continue working to identify the common ancestor of all living bats; Sonja Vernes stated, "For me, this isn't the end of the story; it's just the first chapter.
71 Articles
71 Articles
Study reveals evolutionary history of bats, dating back 65 million years
Bats are critical players in global ecosystems, pollinating plants, dispersing seeds and eating huge numbers of insects. One of only three lineages of flying vertebrates in Earth's history, there are more than 1,500 bat species living today. But their evolutionary history has been a bit of a puzzle for scientists.
Extensive research into genetic data and fossils from different parts of the world has shown that bats may have originated in Europe approximately 65 million years ago, rather than in Africa, Asia, or North America as previously thought.
134 researchers from 64 countries analyzed 103 bat genomes and 44 fossil finds. The results show how the animals spread from Europe to Africa, Asia, America and Australia.
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