Bats likely first evolved in Europe 65 million years ago

An international team of 137 researchers from 64 countries analyzed 103 bat genomes (42 new chromosome-level assemblies) and 44 fossils. They conclude bats originated in Europe during the late Paleocene, 65–60 million years ago, with powered flight and echolocation appearing before modern bat groups diversified.

• Study examined 103 genomes, including 42 new chromosome-level assemblies, and 44 fossils
• All 21 recognized bat families were covered by the Bat1K consortium
• The oldest branch, fossil Vielasia, already had echolocation
• Genome of the common ancestor of all living bats was reconstructed