Palaeochiropteryx

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Palaeochiropteryx Fossil range: Early Eocene
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Chiroptera Suborder: Microchiroptera Family: Archaeonycterididae Genus: Palaeochiropteryx
Species
?P. tupaiodon

Palaeochiropteryx is an extinct genus of bat. Palaeochiropteryx from Eocene Europe had wings formed from enlarged hands, even though their wings were less advanced than the modern bats. Their earbones show that they used a basic form of sound to locate their prey (most likely insects), although this sense was not as advanced as today's. Like most bats of today, Palaeochiropteryx was probably nocturnal, or at best, crepuscular. It was found in the Messel pit of Germany.

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