Bats are the only mammals that can fly, and new research finds that this extraordinary, winged ability arises from reactivating ancient genes. This study will help to clarify how bats evolved from prehistoric ancestors that glided to become aerobatic experts of the night sky.
Rediscovering Old Genetics
In the study, the researchers examined the genetic basis of aerial locomotion in bats. They found that bats did not evolve new genes, but rather repurposed genes that they shared with mammals. The genes were turned on in bats to form specialised wing structures and flight muscles for powered flight.
What Does This Finding Mean?
The study, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution by lead author Christian Feregrino, challenges traditional notions of evolutionary innovation. It indicates that evolution can reuse existing genetic information to produce functionally novel structures.
Examining the evolution of flight in bats provides important insight into broader patterns of evolution, gene regulation and patterns of mammal adaptability.
Bats Keeping Ecosystems Healthy
In addition to being evolutionary wonders, bats are vital members of healthy ecosystems. Bats are pollinators, seed dispersers and biological insect regulators. They also help in plant reproduction and provide control over insect populations.
Research on bats may yield important genetic discoveries, which could provide crucial information for conservation efforts. The study will also determine whether, in the future, these nocturnal sentinels can continue to flourish in the environments that support them.
The Sky’s the Limit for Future Research
The findings may provide opportunities for future research on genetic reactivation and evolutionary biology. Scientists are interested in determining what, if any, similar mechanisms are at work in other species. Ultimately, it could reveal new ways of understanding how dormant genes may facilitate adaptation and innovation in the natural world.
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