In both cases, the researchers have evoked scenarios of Cretaceous vicariance, followed by endemic species radiation within Madagascar and subsequent dispersal from Madagascar to other areas.
And since agricultural communities have long known that volcanic rocks and soils can improve crop yield, farmlands could be the perfect dispersal sites.
These conditions prevent bats from performing critical roles in their ecosystems, like helping with pollination and seed dispersal, and consuming pests and insects.
Taken with the rapid overall increase in immigrants in the past decade or so, this dispersal may be one reason why immigration has become so controversial.
Spyrou and her team of disease detectives teamed up with archaeologists, looking for clues to the plague's arrival in Europe and its subsequent pattern of dispersal.
It was once assumed that improvements in telecommunications would lead to more dispersal in the population as people were no longer forced into cities.