Full Breakdown
European Origin of Bats Confirmed by Massive Genomic Study
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 23, 2026, a study published in *Nature* presented the results of the Bat1K Phase 1 effort, the largest combined analysis of bat genomes and fossils to date. An international team of 137 researchers from 64 countries sequenced 103 bat genomes representing all 21 recognized bat families and examined 44 fossil specimens. The analysis concluded that the earliest bats most likely originated in Europe about 65 million years ago, shortly after the dinosaurs died out, and that powered flight and echolocation evolved early in that lineage.
Background & Context
Bats comprise roughly one-fifth of all mammal species, with more than 1,500 extant species worldwide. Earlier hypotheses placed bat origins in Africa, Asia, or North America, but the fossil record was sparse. The Bat1K consortium, launched in 2017, aims to generate reference-quality genomes for every living bat species to resolve such long-standing questions.
Data & Statistics
- 103 high-quality genomes covering all 21 families.
- 44 fossil bats, including *Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon* (? 47–48 Ma) and *Vielasia* (? 50 Ma).
- Ancestral bat genome reconstructed with 26 chromosomes.
- 137 researchers from 64 countries contributed samples and analyses.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sonja Vernes, senior author and Bat1K director, described the study as a “complicated advanced computational method” that allowed identification of the oldest fossil bat group while integrating genomic data.
- Ariadna Morales, evolutionary biologist at the American Museum of Natural History, called the results a “robust evolutionary framework” for investigating the genetic basis of bat longevity and disease resistance.
- Sarah Olson, director of health research at the Wildlife Conservation Society, highlighted that understanding bat immune adaptations could inform future therapeutics for zoonotic diseases.
Why It Matters / Impact
- The early emergence of flight and echolocation explains the extraordinary evolutionary success of bats over the subsequent 65 million years.
- The genomic resource offers a foundation for research into traits such as exceptional longevity (some species live up to 40 years) and viral tolerance, potentially guiding human medical advances in ageing, immunity, and cancer treatment.
- Conservation implications arise because about 18 % of bat species are threatened; understanding genetic resilience may aid strategies against threats like white-nose syndrome and habitat loss.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Bats, on a scale of amazing to amazing, they’re super amazing,” — Sarah Olson
- “With the genetic information that we can find in bats, it could be used to develop therapeutics associated with zoonotic disease.” — Ariadna Morales
On-the-Ground Reports
Field teams collected DNA swabs and tissue samples from hammer-headed fruit bats in the Congo River region, using protective gear to obtain material that contributed to the global dataset.
What's Next
Researchers plan to use the publicly released genomes to pinpoint specific genes linked to disease resistance and longevity, and to explore functional studies in model bat species.