A consortium of researchers from around the world <a href="https://www.ucd.ie/newsandopinion/news/2026/september/23/batsoriginatedandtookfirstflightineuropenewucd-ledresearchsuggests/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has sequenced the genomes</a> of 103 bat species, tracing the evolutionary origin of bats back in time. Using both genetic samples and fossil records, the researchers place the earliest bats as arising in Europe some 60 to 65 million years ago. The early bats then spread to Africa, and eventually around the globe. Bats are now found on every continent except Antarctica.&nbsp;Bat researcher Emma Teeling joins Flora <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bat-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">to describe the bat genealogy project</a> and what researchers can learn from studying these flying mammals.&nbsp;Guest:Dr. Emma Teeling is a professor of zoology at University College Dublin, and cofounder of the Bat1K bat genome sequencing consortium.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/bat-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sciencefriday.com</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://pod.link/73329284" target="_blank">Subscribe to this podcast.</a> Follow our show on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scifri/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@scifri" target="_blank">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scifri" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/scifri.bsky.social" target="_blank">Bluesky</a> @scifri and <a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/newsletters/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=scifri" target="_blank">sign up for our newsletters</a>. Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us: <a>877-472-4374</a> Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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