Flying deaf? Earliest bats probably didn't echolocate.(This Week)

From: Science News | Date: February 16, 2008| Author: | Copyright information

Fossils of a cardinal-sized creature recently unearthed in western Wyoming suggest that primitive bats developed the ability to fly before they could track their prey with biological sonar.

More than one-fifth of living mammal species are bats, and most of those use echolocation to track prey or avoid obstacles. The fossil record of these delicate-boned creatures is sparse, but analyses hint that even the earliest known bats--those flitting through the skies between 54 million and 50 million years ago--could echolocate, says Nancy B. Simmons, a vertebrate paleontologist at the ...

Read all of this article with a FREE trial to HighBeam Research

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

Left out in cold Moody Simmons gets no call from the Packers
; Linebacker Wayne Simmons doesn't have an offer from the Green...under any conditions. More than likely, Simmons has become aware of that. It may be one...They are pressing for an answer from Simmons, who was unavailable for comment. Condon...
Simmons' focus is now on football
; OAKLAND -- A.J. Simmons had no idea his life would turn out like this. Simmons forged a reputation in 2001 as one of the finest...National All-Stars advanced to the U.S. semifinal. Simmons, who was 6-foot-1 at the time, had not played a down...
Simmons Casts Influence With Iron Will
; Washington Redskins tackle Ed Simmons has different moods. "Is it Eddie or Freddy...idea that teammates often wonder which of Simmons's personalities will arrive at Redskin Park on any given weekday. But on Sundays, Simmons has been a model of consistency, even...
Simmons' focus now on football
; OAKLAND -- A.J. Simmons had no idea his life would turn out like this. Simmons forged a reputation in 2001 as one of the finest...National All-Stars advanced to the U.S. semifinal. Simmons, who was 6-foot-1 at the time, had not played a down...
Simmons Draws Attention; Workouts With Jordan Give Small Forward His Big Chance
; Bobby Simmons has learned that it's not such a bad thing to be in Michael Jordan's good graces. Simmons, who grew up in Chicago, has been among...Wizards, saw skills and potential that Simmons did not display at DePaul, even while...
Leaving SIUE not an easy move for Simmons.
; Byline: Steve Porter Mar. 19--Marty Simmons realizes the symmetry of his situation...I guess you could say I'm going home, Simmons said the past weekend. I've been blessed...McGillis made a slam-dunk move in signing Simmons to a multi-year contract. Simmons, a one-ti...
SIMMONS' DREAM IS TRUE IN L.A.(Sports)
; Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer Bobby Simmons had moderate, but not tremendous, success...the Pistons. As career trajectories go, Simmons seemed to be rocketing toward hairnet...was a match made in basketball heaven. Simmons, already an NBA vagabond in his early...
Bucks forward picking his spot; Simmons finding niche on court
; Bobby Simmons made the jump from the beaches of Los...his hometown of Chicago. The 6-foot-6 Simmons, a highly sought free agent, received...Harris heard the talk that he overpaid for Simmons, but Harris was serious about upgrading...
Simmons repeats as NorCal's best: Former Deer Valley girls basketball star, who has matured as a person and a player, is junior college player of year.
; Byline: Ricardo Sanchez Jr. Mar. 9--Necolia Simmons heard the whispers. She wasn't a team...It gave her a reputation. People talk, Simmons said about her time at Deer Valley High...I don't have to do everything myself, Simmons said. And to keep my composure. If you...
Troubles drive Simmons' value down Some teams shy away after driving charge
; Wayne Simmons is mired in free-agent limbo, the victim...momentum at midweek, the Packers still expect Simmons to attract a long-term contract offer...Since becoming a free agent on Feb. 14, Simmons has at least temporarily turned off the...