Genetic introgression is a catalyst for diversification in an Old World fruit bat radiation
Balaji Chattopadhyay, Kritika M. Garg, Susan M. Tsang, Joanna L. Coleman, R. A. Jose, Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan, Sigit Wiantoro, Ian Hewitt Mendenhall, Gavin JD Smith, Frank E. Rheindt
This study shows genetic introgression promotes diversification in Old World fruit bats by enabling trait sharing and hybrid speciation, with evidence from genomic analysis of 93 Cynopterus individuals.
bioRxiv · Feb 12, 2026 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology