MadSci Network: Evolution |
Bats belong to the Order: Chiroptera and Lemurs belong to Order: primates. Both them belong a larger cohort Unguiculata (meaning clawed/nailed animals). Lemurs are believed to have originated some 58 million years ago. Since bats are small and delicate with light bones, they were not fossilized very well. It has been estimated that bats might have evolved between 70 and 100 million years ago. Evidences suggest that bats are closely related to treeshrews. Both treeshrwes and bats had a common ancestor to lemurs. Further readings: Evotuion Process and product - by Dodson & Dodson (1976) ISBN: 0-442-22164- 9 Bats - M. Brock fenton (1992) ISBN: 0-8160-2679-3
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