Bats are the longest-living mammals relative to body size, and a species called the greater mouse-eared bat lives especially long. The researchers identified two genes in the greater mouse-eared bat that may be responsible for its unique longevity adaptation. Of these, the greater mouse-eared bat had the longest lifespan, about 37 years. Another Myotis bat, Brandt’s bat, holds the bat longevity record of 41 years. Based on body size, the greater mouse-eared bat would be predicted to have a maximum lifespan of four years.

Source: Hindustan Times February 08, 2018 05:37 UTC