Bat origins have shifted from Asia, Africa, and North America to Europe, according to a genetic study published in Nature on September 23, 2026. Researchers under the international Bat1K initiative reconstructed the evolutionary history of the flying mammals by comparing 103 genomes and 44 fossils, placing their initial appearance in the late Paleocene.
Bat1K Initiative Compares Genomes and Fossils to Trace Evolutionary Roots
For decades, researchers associated the origins of the world’s only flying mammals with Asia, Africa, and North America. A genetic study published in Nature on September 23, 2026, challenged that timeline by pointing to Europe as the starting point for their global spread, Harapan Rakyat reported. The research operates under the Bat1K initiative, an international effort to sequence the genomes of all living bat species.
The project brought together 137 researchers from 64 countries to reconstruct the evolutionary tree of the winged mammals. The team combined genetic data with fossil evidence to trace lineage relationships and pinpoint likely ancestral habitats.
Genomic Analysis Identifies Late Paleocene Evolution in Europe
Prof. Emma Teeling led the study as the primary author and director of Bat1K, utilizing data from University College Dublin. The research team analyzed 103 bat genomes, which included 42 newly identified chromosomal-level genome assemblies representing 21 surviving bat families, according to detikcom data.
Researchers paired this genetic information with 44 mammal fossils to determine when and where the lineage began to develop. The combined data indicates that bats first evolved in Europe during the late Paleocene before expanding outward into Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia.
“Sungguh luar biasa, setelah puluhan tahun penelitian dan temuan yang saling bertentangan, akhirnya kita memiliki pohon filogenetik yang kuat yang sekarang dapat kita gunakan untuk memahami dengan benar bagaimana dan di mana ciri-ciri unik kelelawar berevolusi,” ujar Profesor Emma Teeling, dikutip dari University College Dublin melalui laporan detikcom.
Unique Adaptations and Characteristics of Flying Mammals
Alongside their evolutionary history, bats possess specialized traits that allow them to move through and survive in diverse environments.
These specific bats use sticky pads on their wrists and feet to grip smooth surfaces and leaves.
Bat guano, or excrement, contains potassium nitrate, which serves as an oxidizing agent in gunpowder production, alongside uses as a fertilizer and a preservative for fossils, according to detikcom reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bat Evolution and Biology
Where did bats first evolve according to the latest research?
The September 2026 study published in Nature indicates that bats likely first evolved in Europe during the late Paleocene before spreading to other continents.
How many researchers contributed to the Bat1K study?
A team of 137 researchers hailing from 64 countries collaborated on the genetic sequencing and fossil analysis initiative.
Do bats possess the ability to see?
Bats are not blind; they possess functional eyesight and rely on echolocation as an advanced guidance system to detect objects and prey at night.
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