1668-Phylogenomics and Evolutionary Origins of Bat Families

Paper Talk · Oct 12, 2026 · 28m

By analyzing chromosome-level genome assemblies and a comprehensive morphological dataset from both living and extinct species, researchers resolved long-standing controversies regarding bat evolution and ancestry. The findings demonstrate that bats and powered flight most likely originated in Europe during the late Paleocene, with laryngeal echolocation predating the diversification of crown-group bats. Furthermore, genomic and paleobiogeographical analyses established that the family Myzopodidae belongs within the superfamily Vespertilionoidea rather than Noctilionoidea. The study also…