Integrated genomics and transcriptomics reveal molecular insights into extreme dietary adaptation in vampire bats

Integrated genomics and transcriptomics in vampire bats identify sequence or expression changes in 150 genes linked to molecular adaptations for exclusive blood feeding.

• Why it matters: Vampire bats’ extreme sanguivory likely requires coordinated genomic and regulatory shifts, but the specific molecular changes across organs and pathways remain unclear.
• What they did: The study built six new reference genomes, including all three vampire bat species, then combined gene evolution analyses with organ transcriptomes from six major organs.
• The result: It links stomach remodeling and multiple gastrointestinal pathways to altered digestion, motility, metabolism, heme iron absorption, and adult splenic erythropoiesis, providing an integrated molecular view of this dietary transition.

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