Bats evolved in Europe, study finds
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Researchers combined genomic and fossil evidence to trace the 65-million-year history of bats, publishing their findings in Nature.
The study determined bats first originated in Europe, challenging previous theories that placed their origins in Asia, Africa, or North America. From Europe, bats spread to Africa and then to Asia, the Americas, and Australia. A 55-million-year-old bat fossil, Australonycteris, discovered in Queensland, Australia, is only slightly more recent than European fossils.
Bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight and rely heavily on echolocation for navigation and hunting. With over 1500 species representing one-fifth of all mammal species, bats play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems through pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control.
