A study of genomes from 103 bat species and 44 bat fossils points to Europe as bats' birthplace about 65 million years ago, after the dinosaur extinction, before they spread worldwide. It also places echolocation near the start of bat evolution.
Researchers say this revises earlier hypotheses that bats originated in North America, Asia or Africa. The genome sample covered all 21 recognized bat families, and the study suggests bats reached Africa relatively soon after Europe, making the two continents an early hub of bat evolution.
The oldest known bat fossils, about 52 million years old, show both flight and echolocation, so researchers could not determine which evolved first; study leader Emma Teeling said older transitional fossils are needed. The study also lays groundwork for research into bats' disease resistance and longevity, which Teeling said could eventually inform human research on aging, immunity and disease resistance.
