How Did Bats Begin to Fly? Science Unfolds Their Ancient Secrets
Research from the University of Washington provides new insights into bat evolution, suggesting a transition from gliding ancestors based on limb morphology analysis of extinct…
Bats are mammals belonging to the order Chiroptera, characterized by their forelimbs adapted as wings, making them the only mammals capable of sustained flight. There are over 1,400 species of bats, making them one of the most diverse groups of mammals. Bats play crucial ecological roles, such as pollinating flowers, dispersing seeds, and controlling insect populations by feeding on vast numbers of insects, including agricultural pests. They are divided into two main groups: megabats (fruit bats) and microbats, with the latter often using echolocation to navigate and hunt in the dark. Despite their benefits, bats are often misunderstood and face threats from habitat loss, disease (such as white-nose syndrome), and human activities. Conservation efforts are essential to protect bat populations and maintain the ecological balance they help support.
Research from the University of Washington provides new insights into bat evolution, suggesting a transition from gliding ancestors based on limb morphology analysis of extinct…
Tiger beetles mimic the ultrasonic signals of toxic moths to evade bat predation, a survival strategy exclusive to their nocturnal varieties. As the primary predators…
Genetic analysis of Solomon Islands’ leaf-nosed bats shows unexpected diversity, suggesting unique conservation needs and challenging previous size-based classifications. Researchers from the University of Melbourne…
The evolution of viral tolerance in Myotis bats may help scientists prevent future pandemics, say researchers at Texas A&M. Bats carry some of the deadliest…
A new research study reveals how fruit bats’ unique physiology enables a healthy high-sugar diet, offering insights for human diabetes research. A high-sugar diet is…
Recent research reveals bats’ rapid evolution could be the reason for their unique resistance to infections and cancer. By sequencing bat genomes and comparing them…
The barbastelle bat’s quiet calls may be a result of ancestry, not an insect-evading adaptation. Ask a biologist why predators don’t exterminate all their prey,…
The Strange Big-eared Brown Bat, Histiotus alienus, was first described by science in 1916, by the British zoologist Oldfield Thomas. This account was derived from a…
The most accurate estimate yet has been provided by artificial intelligence and computer vision. Each year, a small forest in Zambia transforms into the site…
Study shows that echolocation frequency and wing shape of bats evolve in unison, which leads to distinct ‘foraging syndromes’ adapted to different environments. Bats are…
52-million-year-old fossils support idea that bats diversified rapidly on multiple continents during the Eocene. Scientists have discovered a new bat species, Icaronycteris gunnelli, based on…
Researchers found that Luna moth tails primarily serve to misdirect bat attacks, with no additional mating advantages or increased visibility to bird predators. In a…
In Batesian mimicry, a harmless species imitates a more dangerous one in an evolutionary “ruse” that protects the mimic from would-be predators. Now, researchers reporting…
New study is the first anatomical evidence for how two major groups of bats use echolocation differently. Two major groups of bats that use echolocation…
By studying intersection of ecology and economics, Asst. Prof. Eyal Frank helps solve a complex puzzle. What happens if you reintroduce wolves into certain areas?…
Echolocation Builds Prediction Models of Prey Movement Bats are not only using their acoustical abilities to find a meal — they are also using it…
Tagging reveals that closely bonded female bats leave the roost separately but reunite when hunting. During nightly foraging trips, female vampire bats preferentially meet up…
Study tracks foraging behavior of 50 bats in the wild. Vampire bats that form bonds in captivity and continue those “friendships” in the wild also…