A comprehensive study combining genomic and fossil evidence suggests that bats first evolved in Europe roughly 65 to 60 million years ago, before spreading to other continents. This challenges earlier hypotheses that placed their origins elsewhere, such as in North America or Asia.
The research also indicates that two defining bat traits—flight and echolocation—emerged very early in their evolutionary history. This timing may help explain how bats diversified and colonized diverse habitats worldwide, as these adaptations likely provided significant advantages.
The findings are based on a single source, a ScienceDaily report, which presents the conclusions without noting any conflicting evidence or alternative interpretations. As such, the study's claims are presented as the current consensus from this research team, though further scrutiny may be needed.