What Factors Shape the Flyability in Bats?-The Perspective from Bat's Wing Development

Among mammals, bats are the only species capable of powered flight, which is made possible by their highly evolved wings. The wings of bats are highly specialized, composed of skin membranes that extend from their forelimbs, hindlimbs, and elongated finger bones, forming the structural foundation for flight. Previous research has extensively examined bat wings from various perspectives, including tissue embryology, structural morphology, and aerodynamics. These studies have focused on the origins of bat wings, their embryonic development, as well as the muscles and skeletal structures involved in flight, laying a crucial theoretical foundation for understanding the development and evolution of bat flight. In addition to structural aspects, physiological processes like the high metabolic rate, energy supply, and oxidative stress responses required for sustained bat flight have also been investigated. This review aims to explore various factors influencing the development of bat flight capabilities, with particular attention to the relationship between wing morphology and flight behavior, highlighting the importance of investigating bat flight capabilities within the context of echolocation calls development. From the perspective of bat wings, this review proposes an integrated analysis of related factors affecting the unique and intricate characteristics of bat flight capabilities, offering new perspectives and approaches for future studies in developmental and evolutionary biology.