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PODCAST

The Common Descent Podcast

Join David and Will as they explore the paleontologists’ perspective on various topics in life and earth history. Each episode features a main discussion on a topic requested by the listeners, presented as a lighthearted and educational conversation about fossils, evolution, deep time, and more. Before the main discussion, each episode also includes a news segment, covering recent research related to paleontology and evolution. Each episode ends with the answer to a question submitted by

science natural sciences

All Episodes

01:48:37

Episode 219 - Beringia

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/06/08

For over 100 million years, North America and Asia have been connected over the Pacific Ocean through a region called Beringia. The comings and going of plants and animals across this connection have shaped ecosystems of the past and present. This episode, we explore the geologic history of the region and which ancient species have managed to live in and move through Beringia.In the news: early sperm whales, BC plesiosaurs, megatooth shark food, and Arctic nesting birds. Time markers: Intro &

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02:15:11

Episode 218 - Lungs

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/05/25

Take a deep breath and appreciate for a moment the organs that let you do it so efficiently. Lungs are an invaluable tool for life out of the water, and are therefore a favorite topic for paleontologists interested in early animals on land. This episode, we explore the diversity of modern lungs and the few but fascinating insights we have into the lungs of ancient animals, from dinosaurs to the first terrestrial vertebrates.In the news: trilobite sizes, polar forests, early footprints, and

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02:23:49

Episode 217 - Bears

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/05/11

Bears are among the most charismatic and impressive mammals. They have large bodies, very flexible lifestyles, and an extensive fossil record that includes some of the best-preserved and largest fossil mammals of all time. This episode, we explore what makes bears so distinctive and successful, and how their diversity has changed over time.In the news: ancient alligators, rattlesnake venom, late land crocs, pterosaur tracks, and Caribbean crocodiles. Time markers: Intro & Announcements:

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02:10:20

Episode 216 - Plankton

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/04/27

Just about every body of water on Earth, from oceans to puddles, is home to an ecosystem of tiny drifting organisms. This episode, we discuss what sorts of organisms we might expect to find in a swarm of plankton, we’ll explore how plankton is so fundamental to biological and geological systems on Earth, and we’ll take some time to lay out some of the many ways that ancient plankton are a crucial part of the fossil record.In the news: climbing reptiles, croc extinctions, Ashfall rhinos, and

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01:07:23

Silver Screen Science - Rise of the Planet of the Apes

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/04/16

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore how science is portrayed on the big screen. This year, we’re focused on one recurring franchise: Planet of the Apes!Finally, we visit the ongoing prequel franchise with the story of how it all got started: Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Lots more ways to

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02:33:18

Episode 215 - Ferns

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/04/13

With several thousand living species, ferns are the second most diverse vascular plants around today, after angiosperms. Ferns are also abundant and well-known in the fossil record. This episode, Aly joins us to explore the dizzying variety of ferns and their ferny-friends, past and present.In the news: When the Earth Was Green, weird wasps, and ancient claws. And also dire wolves. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:04:20 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:46:45 Main discussion,

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59:07

Silver Screen Science - Planet of the Apes (2001)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/04/09

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore how science is portrayed on the big screen. This year, we’re focused on one recurring franchise: Planet of the Apes! It’s the reboot of the original, a 21st-Century take on the concept – Planet of the Apes (2001). Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Lots more ways to connect with us:

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01:14:47

Silver Screen Science - Planet of the Apes (1968)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/04/02

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore how science is portrayed on the big screen. This year, we’re focused on one recurring franchise: Planet of the Apes!This episode, we begin where it began, with the original movie about a world where simian society is turned upside-down – Planet of the Apes (1968). Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content:

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02:37:58

Episode 214 - Saber Teeth

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/03/30

Evolution just loves a nice pair of oversized canines, especially on mammalian predators. Saber-toothed animals have shown up over and over again – we even have some today – but despite their similarities, not all of these toothy species were using their canines the same way. This episode, we explore the various shapes of functions of saber teeth and the disparate lineages that have sported them.In the news: The Fossil Keeper’s Treasure, the size of megalodon, and vulture feathers. Time

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02:17:47

Patron Mini-Episode Compilation #6

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/03/22

Our high-level Patreon supporters get to request a topic for their very own mini-episode! For the sixth time, we’ve put the latest bunch together for everyone to enjoy!Thank you as always to our incredible Patrons of all levels for keeping the podcast going! Intro: 00:00:00 Ambulocetus for Ambulocetus – 00:01:45 Abelisaurs for Quinn – 00:18:30 Capybaras for Melissa – 00:41:22 Pelicans for Johnathan – 01:02:05 Pikas for Hana – 01:31:45 Wooly rhinos for Eric – 01:51:25 Check out our website for blog

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02:17:54

Episode 213 - Decomposers

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/03/16

Leave a carcass or a log or a pile of poop out in the wild long enough and it will break down into its component parts. Decomposers are an often-overlooked but essential component of ecosystems past and present. This episode, we explore the varied processes of decomposition and how scientists study decomposers and use that information. We’ll also discuss the importance of decomposition to the fossil record, as well as how we can identify signs of decomposers from the distant past. In the news:

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30:27

Leaf it to Us - Before We Leaf

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/03/10

After you’ve listened to the Leaf it to Us pilot episode, enjoy this follow-up discussion where Nora, Aly, and David share their thoughts about that first episode and the upcoming season of the new podcast. You can contact us – and find more from Common Descent – here: https://linktr.ee/common_descent The Intro and Outro music is “Late Bloomer” by Devours. Find more from Devours at http://devours.bandcamp.com

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32:54

Leaf it to Us - Pilot Episode

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/03/10

Enjoy this special preview of the upcoming podcast Leaf it to Us, hosted by Nora Spurling and Dr. Aly Baumgartner. In this pilot episode, they discuss the fascinating phenomenon of sex-changing trees! The first season of Leaf it to Us is in the works, and we’re excited to hear your feedback for this pilot episode. Please reach out to us and let us know what you think! You can contact us and find more from Common Descent here: https://linktr.ee/common_descent The Intro and Outro music is “Late

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01:41:45

Episode 212 - Temnospondyls

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/03/02

When vertebrates first moved onto land, they gave rise to a variety of amphibious tetrapods. The most diverse and successful of these were temnospondyls, which were some of the most important species in early land and freshwater environments. This episode, we’ll explore temnospondyls’ evolutionary history, their ecological variety, and their mysterious connection to modern amphibians.In the news: domesticating dogs, early birds, color evolution, and changing seeds. Time markers: Intro &

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02:34:32

Episode 211 - Edward Drinker Cope

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/02/16

E. D. Cope is one of the most recognizable and notorious names in paleontology history. He did some of the most important early work in vertebrate paleontology, he was one half of the dueling duo in the infamous Bone Wars, he named some of the most famous fossil animals, and he was profoundly irresponsible and unethical with his science. This episode, we’re joined by Astrid Lundberg to explore the life and legacy of Edward Cope, investigating such questions as: How did he get his start? What lasting

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02:25:13

Episode 210 - Bones

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/02/02

The evolution of mineralized tissues is responsible not only for the incredible success and diversity of vertebrate animals, but also for their extraordinarily informative fossil record. This episode, we explore the detailed anatomy of bones and their deep evolutionary history, we touch on some of the ways they’re important for paleontology, and we take some time to discuss the secrets that can be found inside of ancient bones.In the news: croc vs pterosaur, hominin diets, ears and gills, and

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02:27:14

Episode 209 - Chimaeras

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/01/19

You might know them as ghost sharks, rat fish, or spook fish. Chimaeras are close cousins of sharks and rays, equipped with distinctive and unusual features in their fins, teeth, and reproductive structures. In today’s oceans, chimaeras are rare and easy to miss, but their extended family includes some of the most diverse and iconic fish of the Paleozoic seas. In this episode, we’ll explore the traits that set chimaeras apart, we’ll take a tour through their ancient relatives, and we’ll investigate

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01:49:03

Episode 208 - The Karoo Supergroup

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/01/05

Southern Africa is home to an incredible sequence of geologic formations that span more than 100 million years of Earth history. These rocks, collectively called the Karoo Supergroup, are an extraordinary resource for studying evolution and extinction across the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic Eras. This episode, we’ll explore the deep history of this vast geologic resource, and we’ll sample some of the discoveries that have been made there.In the news: dormancy evolution, Pangaean amphibians,

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05:22:32

End of the Year Q&A 2024

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2024/12/31

Happy New Year! Welcome back to our annual, traditional question-answering marathon! As always, a big thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this Q&A, everyone who has listened and shared and engaged with us throughout the year, and especially to our Patrons, who make this podcast possible. See you in 2025! Check out our website for our blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content:

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02:09:22

Episode 207 - Therizinosaurs

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2024/12/22

Most theropod dinosaurs are sleek predators built for speedy movement and efficient hunting. Therizinosaurs are unusual. They’re slow and stocky and, in many ways, more like the famous plant-eating dinosaurs. This episode, we’ll explore the diversity of therizinosaurs, the winding path that paleontologists took to understand them, the many ways they became specialized for a diet of plants, and what was going on with those claws. In the news: Parasaurolophus crests, Scottish bears, anglerfish

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