We Finally Know Where Bats Came From—and Dracula Would Approve
Researchers used DNA from 103 living species and 44 fossils to show that echolocation and true flight evolved early in bats.
- 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.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Earth's first bats didn't come from where we thought, landmark genetic study reveals
In the largest study of its kind to date, researchers compiled data from 103 bat genomes and 44 fossils to rewrite the bat family tree and determine where these animals first evolved.
Bats are considered to be one of the greatest experiments of evolution: they fly, locate by echo and defy deadly pathogens. An international study is now reconstructing their origin.
Science Writing, 23 Sep (EFE).- The largest combined study of genomes and fossils carried out to date concludes that bats originated in Europe in the Paleocene, about 65 million years ago, and from there they spread to the rest of the world.The research also reveals that the ecolocation, like the propelled flight, arose at the dawn of the evolution of bats.The research, led by the University of St Andrews (Scotland) and published this Wednesday …
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elDiarioARThe largest combined study of genomes and fossils of bats ever performed concludes that they originated in Europe about 65 million years ago and that they had echolocation since the beginning Hemeroteca - Brueghel was advanced 400 years: he painted a bat 'giant' hunting a bird before science described it In the oral tradition of the Fang, of Equatorial Guinea, the death of Owonduifi, a character whose anatomy coincides with that of the bat and r…
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