Roosting ecology drives the evolution of diverse bat landing maneuvers.

Abstract in brief

• Bats have developed unique landing maneuvers that allow them to achieve their characteristic head-under-heels roosting posture, which differs from birds.
• The study found that the earliest bats used simple four-limbed landing techniques similar to gliding mammals, but more complex, rotational landings evolved multiple times, especially with stiffer horizontal roosts.
• These landing behaviors are crucial for bat survival, influencing how they use different roosts and potentially affecting their ability to adapt to environmental changes like deforestation.