Overview
New research conducted by the University of St Andrews indicates that bats likely originated in Europe approximately 65 million years ago. This conclusion is drawn from a comprehensive study integrating bat genomes and fossil records, representing the largest combined analysis of its kind.
Research Context
The study aimed to determine the geographical and temporal origins of bats, a mammalian order characterized by powered flight. Understanding the evolutionary history of bats, including their emergence and subsequent diversification, has been a long-standing question in evolutionary biology. Previous research has explored various aspects of bat evolution, but this study specifically focuses on their initial geographic dispersal point and time of origin.
Approach
Researchers from the University of St Andrews conducted a combined analysis that incorporated two distinct data types: bat genomes and bat fossils. The methodology involved creating the largest dataset of its kind, integrating genetic information with paleontological evidence. This combined approach allowed for a robust assessment of evolutionary relationships and timelines. The study utilized genomic data to infer phylogenetic relationships and calibrate evolutionary rates, while fossil evidence provided critical calibration points for dating divergence events and establishing geographical distribution patterns. The integration of these datasets facilitated a more precise reconstruction of bat evolutionary history than either dataset could provide in isolation.
Findings
- The research suggests that bats most likely originated in Europe.
- The estimated time of this origin is approximately 65 million years ago.
- Following their emergence in Europe, bats subsequently spread across the world.
- The study represents the largest combined analysis of bat genomes and fossils ever undertaken.
Why This Matters
This research provides insight into the evolutionary history and biogeography of bats, a diverse order of mammals. Pinpointing their origin and subsequent global dispersal contributes to the broader understanding of mammalian evolution following major extinction events and the mechanisms of species radiation.
Research Institution
University of St Andrews