Discovered large bats from fossils 19 million years

The fossil teeth and bones of new bats are three times larger than the average size of bats today.

An international team of scientists, led by the University of New South Wales, Australia discovered fossils of one in the town of St Bathans, on South Island, New Zealand. Fossils are found in ancient sediments, about 16-19 million years old, the BBC reported.

New giant bat species have been discovered from fossils for millions of years in New Zealand.(Photo: BBC).

The study was carried out by scientists from many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, England and the United States. The findings are published in the Scientific Reports journal 10/1.

This is the first time in more than 150 years, scientists discovered a new bat species in New Zealand. They are named Vulcanops jennyworthyae . Based on the newly excavated fossil, scientists estimate they weigh about 40 grams.

Bats' teeth and bones Vulcanops jennyworthyae is three times larger than the average size of bats today. Large teeth reveal that this bat may have a "different diet" than bats living in Oceania today.

"Large teeth with special structures show bats Vulcanops can eat fruits and small vertebrates, like some of their relatives in South America. We don't see this in bats. Living today, species often eat insects and small invertebrates , " said Professor Sue Hand from the University of New South Wales.