These Small, Stealthy Bats Use High-Frequency Vocalizations to Keep Their Chatter Out of the Range of Predators and Prey
- 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.
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33 Articles
A large-scale international genetic study shows that bats and their ability to fly evolved in Europe. The analysis also pushes the time of the emergence of echolocation in animals much earlier than previously thought.
Researchers have combined the DNA of over a hundred species with dozens of fossils to reconstruct the evolutionary history of these mammals
Scientists have uncovered the origin and secret of bat longevity
Scientists have uncovered the origin and secret of bat longevity.Scientists have studied ancient bat fossils and found that these animals probably originated in Europe about 65 million years ago, and not in Africa, Asia or North America, as previously...
Bats Originated in Europe, Genetic and Fossil Evidence Suggests
Bats make up more than one fifth of all living mammal species, yet where and when they first took to the air has been debated for decades. The post Bats Originated in Europe, Genetic and Fossil Evidence Suggests appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
Where did bats come from? Family tree drawn from huge genetic study
Scientists say they've settled the debate about where bats came from and uncovered what the earliest bats were like. They also believe their new huge study of bat genomes and fossils could help reveal the secrets behind bats' extraordinary disease-resistance and longevity.
A NEW study reveals that bats originated in Europe. Genome analysis explains their exceptional resistance to viruses.
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