When, and where, did bats first take to the sky?
Summary
Dr. Emma Teeling discusses the Bat1K consortium’s groundbreaking research, which sequenced 103 bat genomes to reveal that bats originated in Europe 65 million years ago. By integrating genomic data with fossil records, the team overturned previous evolutionary theories and reconstructed the ancestral genome of the first flying mammal. The episode also explores how this diverse group of mammals offers unique insights into aging, immunity, and echolocation.
Topics discussed
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Sponsor: The Met Krasner and Pollock
Introduction to Bat Evolution Research
Methodology: Genomes and Fossils
Overturning Previous Evolutionary Models
Bat Diversity and Global Distribution
Timing: Origin After Dinosaur Extinction
Ancestry: Relationship to Shrews and Carnivores
Fossil Evidence of Early Flight and Echolocation
Integrating Genomic and Morphological Data
Defining Bats and Proto-Bat Fossils
Research Challenges and Ongoing Mysteries
Future Studies: Aging, Immunity, and Conservation
Diversity as a Research Tool and Global Collaboration
Conclusion and Guest Credits
Halloween Costume Contest and Outro
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