Gunnell, G. F., and N. B. Simmons (eds.).2012. Evolutionary History of Bats: Fossils, Molecules and Morphology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 572 pp., 8 color illustrations and 26 tables. ISBN 978-0-521-74526-0, price (paper) $65.00, and ISBN: 978-1- 139-21076-8, price (eBook), $52.00

Abstract

G. F. Gunnell, N. B. Simmons (eds.). 2012. Evolutionary History of Bats: Fossils, Molecules and Morphology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 572 pp., 8 color illustrations and 26 tables. ISBN 978-0-521-74526-0, price (paper) $65.00, and ISBN: 978-1- 139-21076-8, price (eBook), $52.00. Bats share unique morphological and life-history traits that ecologically and physiologically set them apart from all other mammals. They emerge from the early Eocene fossil record fully capable of powered flight (Simmons et al. 2008). Although fossils yield only hints of the evolutionary relationship among bats and other mammals, morphology and molecules from extant lineages tell us different stories about their relationship with other mammals, and relationships within Chiroptera. These issues, and the evolution of echolocation and flight and their possible trade-offs are hot topics in the evolutionary history of bats. In zoology in general, efforts to construct consistent evolutionary hypotheses combining evidence from morphology and molecules are increasingly common. Evolutionary History of Bats is a timely volume that reflects this movement. The book originates from a symposium held at the 2007 meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, in Austin, Texas. The contributions are excellent syntheses on different aspects of bat evolution, and most of them include original information. Some chapters reflect integrative approaches, combining molecular and morphological data sets with the fossil record, whereas others concentrate on new evidence from fossils, morphology of extant bats, or molecular approaches alone. Contributors include zoologists, geneticists, and paleontologists (from 9 countries and 4 continents) who are at the top of their game on different aspects of bat evolution. The editors— Gregg F. Gunnell (Duke University Lemur Center) and Nancy B. Simmons (American Museum of Natural History)—are prominent leaders … rmoratelli{at}fiocruz.br