New Genomic Study Traces Bat Origins to Europe
The study of 147 species finds that flight and echolocation evolved early in the history of the animal.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Life Sciences
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A global research consortium has published findings in the journal Nature suggesting that bats originated in Europe. The study, conducted by the Bat1K consortium, used genomic and fossil data to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the animal.
Why it matters
By revising the bat evolutionary tree, this research clarifies the timing of key biological traits. The data indicates that flight and echolocation evolved early in the history of the species.
The Bat1K consortium analyzed genetic material from all 21 recognized bat families to build their evolutionary tree. This effort involved 130 researchers from over 30 countries.
The players
Bat1K consortium
An international research collective dedicated to sequencing and studying the genomes of all living bat species.
Department of Forests
The Cyprus-based authority that participated in the global genomic study.
The details
Researchers reconstructed the evolutionary path of bats by integrating modern genome sequences with records from 44 extinct bat species. This multi-modal approach allowed the team to cross-reference molecular genetic data with physical fossil evidence. The analysis confirmed that flight and echolocation were established early in the divergence of the bat lineage.
Timeline
- 2026-10-26
The study results were published and announced.
The Tech Race
The study marks a significant data expansion for the Bat1K programme, which aims to sequence all living bat species. It establishes a new baseline for evolutionary biology by integrating fossil records with large-scale genomic mapping.
This research provides a foundational dataset that will influence future comparative biology and genetic studies. Academic researchers and those in evolutionary science can now utilize this updated phylogenetic tree for their own genomic mapping projects.
The takeaway
This study clarifies the evolutionary trajectory of bats by anchoring their origins in Europe. Watch for future updates from the Bat1K programme as they continue their goal to sequence the genomes of all living bat species.
Further reading
For more on the latest research in the field, explore the Life Sciences section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Famagusta Gazette.
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