Bats may have first evolved in Europe 65 million years ago

Recent genomic and fossil analyses have provided significant new insights into the evolutionary history of bats, suggesting that these mammals first originated in Europe approximately 65 to 60 million years ago. This discovery challenges previous hypotheses regarding the timing and geographic point of origin for the Chiroptera order. By integrating comprehensive genetic datasets with the fossil record, researchers were able to track the dispersal patterns of early bats as they radiated globally. Furthermore, the study highlights that key physiological adaptations, specifically powered flight and echolocation, likely evolved very early in the lineage. The rapid development of these traits is considered a primary driver for the immense success and ecological diversification of bats, allowing them to occupy diverse niches across almost every continent. This research offers a clearer understanding of how bats became one of the most widespread and ecologically important groups of mammals, shedding light on the early transition from land-dwelling ancestors to aerial specialists.