Scientists Identify the Original Homeland of Bats

Scientists have determined that bats originated in Europe approximately 65 million years ago and later spread from there to other regions of the world.

Researchers reached this conclusion following the largest genomic study of bats conducted to date. The study analyzed data from 103 living species as well as 44 fossil specimens.

For decades, it had been assumed that the origin of bats was linked to Asia, Africa, or the Americas.

However, new research by scientists from Spain’s National Museum of Natural Sciences and the University of Granada, carried out within the international Bat1K project, indicates that the evolutionary development of these animals began in Europe.