# Bat Genomes Unlock Evolutionary Secrets

> Six bat species' reference genomes reveal how echolocation and immunity evolved.
- Title: Bat Genomes Unlock Evolutionary Secrets · Nature | Shortify
- Summary: Six bat species' reference genomes reveal how echolocation and immunity evolved. Bats evolved laryngeal echolocation and unique immunity through genetic…
- Keywords: rhinolophus, rousettus, phyllostomus, myotis, pipistrellus, molossus, echolocation, immunity, genomes, bats, nfl, news
- Source: Nature — https://nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2486-3
- Published: 2020-07-22T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rhinolophus, rousettus, phyllostomus, myotis, pipistrellus, molossus, echolocation, immunity, genomes, bats, nfl, news
## First Bat Genomes
Scientists created reference-quality genomes for six bat species using long-read sequencing.
## Echolocation Evolution
Genes for hearing evolved in the common bat ancestor, showing laryngeal echolocation is ancestral.
## Immunity Boost
Bats lost inflammation genes but gained anti-viral immune genes for better virus resistance.
## Viral Tolerance
Bat genomes show historical tolerance to viruses through viral integrations.
## MicroRNA Changes
Bat-specific microRNA variations may control unique gene expression programs.
## Key takeaway

Bats evolved laryngeal echolocation and unique immunity through genetic changes.