Europe identified as likely origin of bats in major genomic study

A large-scale genomic and fossil study has revealed that bats likely originated in Europe approximately 60 to 65 million years ago. This finding challenges long-held scientific theories that suggested bats first evolved in Africa, Asia, or North America.

Published in the journal Nature, the research was conducted by the Bat1K consortium, an international team of 137 researchers. The study combined genomic data from 103 living bat species with traits from 44 fossil species to reconstruct the most detailed bat family tree to date. The findings indicate that key traits, such as powered flight and echolocation, likely evolved near the dawn of bat evolution.

Beyond rewriting the evolutionary timeline, the research provides insights into how bats developed unique characteristics, including extended lifespans and disease resistance. Bats represent more than one-fifth of all mammal species and play vital roles in global ecosystems through pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control.