Genomic and fossil data confirm European origin of bats 65 million years ago
A massive international study published in Nature has resolved long-standing debates about bat evolution by analyzing 103 genome assemblies and 44 fossils. The research confirms that bats originated in Europe approximately 65 million years ago, refuting previous theories of African, Asian, or North American origins. The study also reveals that laryngeal echolocation evolved before the diversification of modern bat lineages, providing a new framework for understanding bat longevity and disease resistance.