Post by Brian Roebuck on Dec 5, 2008 6:35:29 GMT -5
Rock painting reveals unknown bat
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News
The Bradshaw rock art is sophisticated for its age
An ancient cave painting from northern Australia depicts a previously unknown species of large bat, researchers say.
The team thinks the rock art from Australia's Kimberley region could date to the height of the last Ice Age - about 20-25,000 years ago.
The painting depicts eight roosting fruit bats - also called flying foxes.
They have features that do not match any Australian bats alive today, suggesting the art depicts a species that is now extinct.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7765136.stm
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News
The Bradshaw rock art is sophisticated for its age
An ancient cave painting from northern Australia depicts a previously unknown species of large bat, researchers say.
The team thinks the rock art from Australia's Kimberley region could date to the height of the last Ice Age - about 20-25,000 years ago.
The painting depicts eight roosting fruit bats - also called flying foxes.
They have features that do not match any Australian bats alive today, suggesting the art depicts a species that is now extinct.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7765136.stm