The Department of Forests of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment took part in a major international scientific achievement, the department said in a statement, adding that the study is the largest to date to combine bat genomes and fossils. The study was published in the leading scientific journal Nature.
Haris Nikolaou, a Biodiversity Officer at the Department of Forests, is among the researchers who contributed to the study.

The study, the department said, challenges previous findings, suggesting that bats likely originated in Europe before spreading to the rest of the world. It also supports the scientific view that both flight and echolocation — the ability to navigate using sounds and their echoes — emerged very early in the evolutionary history of bats.
The research was conducted as part of the international Bat1K consortium, which included more than 130 researchers from universities and organizations in more than 30 countries, the department said.

The team analyzed genetic material from 103 bat species, covering all 21 recognized bat families, and used evidence from fossils of 44 extinct species. By combining this information, the scientists revised the evolutionary tree of bats, clarifying the relationships among them and resolving questions that had remained unanswered for decades.
“Protecting biodiversity requires knowledge of the species we seek to conserve. By gaining a better understanding of the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of bats, we can develop a more complete picture of their biological uniqueness. This knowledge, combined with population monitoring and the study of their habitats and threats, can support more informed approaches to their protection,” the Department of Forests said.

In a statement, Haris Nikolaou said that “this collaboration allows us to connect knowledge from the field with findings from genetics and paleontology. In this way, we gain a better understanding of how bats evolved and what makes each group unique. For Cyprus, participating in such efforts is an opportunity to contribute to international research and expand the knowledge that supports the protection of our own biodiversity.”

According to Department of Forests Director Dr. Savvas Iezekiel, “the natural heritage we are called upon to protect is the result of millions of years of evolution. Basic research helps us better understand this heritage and support its protection through a solid knowledge base. By investing in science and international cooperation, we strengthen our ability to preserve it for future generations.”