When, and where, did bats first take to the sky?

A consortium of researchers from around the world has sequenced the genomes (ucd.ie/newsandopinion/news/2026/september/23/b…) of 103 bat species, tracing the evolutionary origin of bats back in time. Using both genetic samples and fossil records, the researchers place the earliest bats as arising in Europe some 60 to 65 million years ago. The early bats then spread to Africa, and eventually around the globe. Bats are now found on every continent except Antarctica.
Bat researcher Emma Teeling joins Flora to describe the bat genealogy project (sciencefriday.com/segments/bat-history) and what researchers can learn from studying these flying mammals.
Guest:
Dr. Emma Teeling is a professor of zoology at University College Dublin, and cofounder of the Bat1K bat genome sequencing consortium.
Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com/segments/bat-history.

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