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Bat genomes trace Europe origin 65 million years ago

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 11:46 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Bat1K Finds European Origin

The Bat1K consortium shows bats originated in Europe about 65 million years ago.
The team analyzed 103 bat genomes and 44 fossil specimens.
The revised phylogeny places the fossil Vielasia at the base, indicating early echolocation.
The findings overturn previous hypotheses that bats originated in Asia, Africa or North America.
Scientists reconstructed the common ancestor’s genome, providing a framework to study bat disease resistance and longevity.

Summary

Bats Face Decline

About half of known bat species have unknown or decreasing populations, with 18% classified as threatened by the IUCN.
Conservation biologist Liliana Dávalos says bats are endangered by climate change, habitat loss, persecution and harvesting.
White-nose syndrome has killed millions of hibernating bats in Canada and the United States.
Bats pollinate plants, disperse seeds and control insects, and their decline correlates with higher human infant mortality.

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Bat1K Finds European Origin

The Bat1K consortium shows bats originated in Europe about 65 million years ago.
The team analyzed 103 bat genomes and 44 fossil specimens.
The revised phylogeny places the fossil Vielasia at the base, indicating early echolocation.
The findings overturn previous hypotheses that bats originated in Asia, Africa or North America.
Scientists reconstructed the common ancestor’s genome, providing a framework to study bat disease resistance and longevity.

1 / 2