Table 2.

Favorable characteristics for survival and proliferation following the K–T mass extinction of bats and other potential sources of extant viral biodiversity.

Characteristic	Survival advantage	Relevant species	References
Small body size	Shelter, energy conservation	Most or all surviving animals	[47]
Sheltered habitat	Protection from initial heat blast	Bats, rodents, insectivores, some birds	[51]
Flight capability	High mobility to select suitable habitats	Bats, birds	[77••]
Roosting in large colonies	Adequate mating opportunities	Bats, birds	[78]
Hibernation, torpor	Energy conservation, resistance to low temperature, resistance to high ozone	Bats, rodents, insectivores	[79, 80]
Echolocation capability	Unaffected by solar occlusion	Bats	[81]
Insectivorous	Food source remained abundant	Bats, insectivores, some birds	[82]