Researchers Mapped Bat Genomes to Trace Evolutionary History
A new genomic dataset covering 103 species suggests bats originated in Europe 65 million years ago.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Life Sciences
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Scientists have released a comprehensive genomic dataset representing all 21 recognized bat families to reconstruct the evolutionary trajectory of the order. The study, published on September 23, 2026, identifies Europe as the point of origin for these mammals 65 million years ago.
Why it matters
This research provides a foundational map for understanding the genetic basis of traits like flight, echolocation, and exceptional longevity in bats. By clarifying the lineage of the 1,500 extant species, the findings offer a framework for investigating mammalian health adaptations.
The study utilized 103 bat genomes and 44 fossils, including 41 newly generated genome assemblies. This dataset covers the entire breadth of the 21 recognized bat families, compared to previous phylogenetic models that relied on incomplete genomic coverage.
The players
Nature
A multidisciplinary scientific journal that publishes high-impact peer-reviewed research across the life and physical sciences.
The details
Researchers employed DNA sequencing and advanced computational techniques to analyze the genomes of 103 species. The team cross-referenced this genetic data with 44 bat fossils, such as the extinct Vielasia sigei, which exhibits anatomical signs of advanced echolocation—the biological sonar system used by bats to navigate by emitting sounds that bounce off objects. By integrating these sequences, the study determined that echolocation and true flight evolved approximately 50 million years ago, eventually allowing bats to disperse from a Europe-Africa hub to Asia, the Americas, and Australia.
Timeline
65 million years ago: Bats first originated in Europe.
50 million years ago: Echolocation and true flight evolved in the bat lineage.
September 23, 2026: The research was published in the journal Nature.
The Tech Race
This study aligns with the global effort to catalog mammalian diversity through large-scale genomic sequencing projects like Bat1K. It provides the necessary genetic architecture to move beyond fragmented fossil records and into high-resolution evolutionary modeling.
While these findings are foundational to evolutionary biology, the dataset serves as a resource for researchers investigating why bats possess longer lifespans than other mammals of similar body size. This research potentially enables future medical studies into disease resistance and longevity mechanisms found in the 1,500 extant species.
The takeaway
This study establishes a definitive genomic baseline for the evolution of flight and sonar in mammals. Future research will focus on translating these genetic insights into human health applications by identifying the common ancestors of all 1,500 currently known bat species.
What happens next
Researchers aim to identify the ancestor of all living bats and utilize this genomic data to develop new approaches for improving human health, particularly regarding aging and longevity.
Further reading
For more on the latest research in biological history, visit our Life Sciences section.
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