WASHINGTON : The two oldest-known fossil skeletons of bats, unearthed in southwestern Wyoming and dating to at least 52 million years ago, are providing insight into the early evolution of these flying mammals - today represented by more than 1,400 species.The fossils, described in a new study, are of a p
WASHINGTON : The two oldest-known fossil skeletons of bats, unearthed in southwestern Wyoming and dating to at least 52 million years ago, are providing insight into the early evolution of these flying mammals - today represented by more than 1,400 species.
"If it folded its wings next to its body, it would easily fit inside your hand. Its wings were relatively short and broad, reflecting a more fluttering-flight style. Dentition clearly show that this was an insect-eating bat. It was also most likely an echolocating bat," Rietbergen added. Echolocation is a form of sonar common in bats, used to navigate and hunt.
"Bats have looked pretty much like bats since they first show up as complete skeletons in the fossil record. We don't have anything that we could say looks 'half bat' - or, in other words, we lack any good transitional fossils," Arizona State University paleontologist and study co-author Matt Jones said.
The fossils represent the oldest-known bat skeletons - both very complete and well-preserved. The only older bat fossils are isolated teeth and jaw fragments from places including Portugal and China, dating to about 55 to 56 million years ago.
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