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Flying fox fruit bats are shrinking as hunters target the largest
Original: 29-Oct-2026 Flying fox fruit bats are shrinking Comparisons of # bats collected over time suggests that the biggest bats
New research on flying fox fruit bats suggests the animals are getting smaller over time. Comparisons of bat collections gathered across different periods indicate that the biggest individuals are being selectively hunted, removing the largest bats from populations. The findings raise concerns for conservation, since these large bats play a key role in seed dispersal, and selective pressure from hunting could reshape the species' evolution.
Why now: A new study published via EurekAlert links declining bat size to selective hunting, prompting discussion about evolution and conservation.
flying fox fruit batsEurekAlert
Evidence
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