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Recurrent evolution of extreme longevity in bats.

Gerald S Wilkinson¹, Danielle M Adams¹

¹Department of Biology, University of Maryland , College Park 20742, MD , USA.

Biology Letters

|April 11, 2019

Summary

Bats exhibit remarkable longevity, with at least four lineages evolving lifespans four times longer than similar-sized mammals. Hibernation, latitude, and cave use are key factors influencing bat lifespan.

Keywords:

hibernation duration lifespan phylogenetic generalized least squares sexual dimorphism

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Comparative physiology
Mammalogy

Background:

Bats possess exceptionally long lifespans compared to mammals of similar size.
The evolutionary pathways and drivers of extreme longevity in bats remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

To reconstruct the evolutionary history of longevity in bats.
To identify factors influencing the extended lifespans observed in various bat lineages.

Main Methods:

Molecular phylogeny reconstruction to analyze evolutionary relationships.
Phylogenetic generalized least-squares models to assess predictor variables for longevity.
Analysis of ecological and physiological traits such as body mass, hibernation, latitude, cave use, and sexual dimorphism.

Main Results:

At least four bat lineages show lifespans over fourfold that of similar-sized placental mammals.
Ancestral bats are projected to have lived 2.6 times longer than expected for their size.
Body mass and hibernation are significant predictors of longevity across bat species.
Among hibernators, longevity is linked to geographic latitude and cave use; among non-hibernators, cave use and lack of sexual dimorphism are key.
The common vampire bat, a non-hibernating species with extreme longevity, exhibits flexible thermoregulation.

Conclusions:

Multiple independent evolutionary events have led to extreme longevity in bats.
Ecological factors like hibernation, habitat use (caves), geographic range, and social structure (sexual dimorphism) significantly influence bat lifespan.
Flexible thermoregulation may play a role in longevity, potentially aiding in pathogen resistance.