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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

42:32

Spook-E - Werewolves

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/10/13

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. It's October, so we're exploring some more speculative evolution with a spooky twist! Each week this month, we'll be choosing a creepy creature and discussing how it - or something like it - might evolve biologically, pulling inspiration from the critters of the real world. This episode, we contemplate the evolution of aggressive predators that spread madness with their bite and get particularly nasty when the moon is full. How might evolution produce the

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01:39:09

Episode 45 – The Permian Extinction (“The Great Dying”)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/10/07

252 million years ago, the Earth experienced what might be the worst extinction event of all time, so dramatic that it brought an end to the entire Paleozoic Era, that it resulted in the rise of entirely new types of ecosystems, and that it has come to be known as “The Great Dying.” This episode, we discuss the tragedy, the chaos, and the aftermath of the Permian Extinction. In the news: the oldest animal, giant elephant birds, mammal jaw evolution, and one really big tree. Time markers: Intro &

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44:24

Spook-E - Vampires

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/10/06

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. It's October, so we're exploring some more speculative evolution with a spooky twist! Each week this month, we'll be choosing a creepy creature and discussing how it - or something like it - might evolve biologically, pulling inspiration from the critters of the real world. This episode, how do you evolve large-bodied nocturnal sanguivores that can spread their condition to normal humans? How can biology arrive at the most iconic children of the night? Our

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01:40:47

SciFest in St. Louis

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/30

Will and David recently attended SciFest: Rock, Fossil, Quake! This was an event held at the St. Louis Science Center in collaboration with the Washington University School of Medicine. The event brought scientists and science enthusiasts face-to-face to talk about geology, earthquakes, and - most exciting for us - fossils (mostly dinosaurs)! In this episode, we recount some of our impressions and favorite parts of the event, and include interviews with six dinosaur paleontologists who attended the

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44:16

Spotlight - Ranjeev Epa (5/5)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/29

Welcome to our Spotlight Series! We’re talking paleo-science with some paleo-people! In this 5-part series, we’ve interviewed 5 different invertebrate paleontologists about their research and other work. We wrap up this series by chatting with Ranjeev Epa about his research on the best animals ever (according to him), bivalves - that is, clams, oysters, etc. - and what preyed upon them in the distant past, and also about the paleo-PhD experience Find Ranjeev in these places: Twitter

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48:42

Silver Screen Science - The Meg

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/28

It's a movie about a giant prehistoric shark that eats a bunch of people. Let's talk science! In this "science review," we're discussing The Meg (2018) - the portrayal of megalodon, the tropes of the scientists, and the movie's general relationship with real-world science. Follow and Support us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/ PodBean:

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01:46:13

Episode 44 - Hybridization

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/23

In this episode, we tackle the fascinating – and confusing – subject of hybridization. What are hybrids? Why are hybrids? And if organisms can breed across subspecies and species boundaries, what does that mean for our understanding of important topics like evolution, speciation, and conservation? In the news: saber-tooth footprints, a Cambrian filter-feeder, false extinctions, and an ancient pet trade. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:06:00 Main discussion, Part 1:

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55:47

Spotlight - Chris Mah (4/5)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/22

Welcome to our Spotlight Series! We’re talking paleo-science with some paleo-people! In this 5-part series, we’ve interviewed 5 different invertebrate paleontologists about their research and other work. It's Episode 4, and this time we have Dr. Chris Mah with us to explain the science of studying sea stars - past and present - and what it takes (or at least, what it has taken him) to run a science blog! Find Chris in these places: Twitter: @echinoblog The Echinoblog, echinoblog.blogspot.com If

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52:49

Spotlight - Alycia Stigall (3/5)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/15

Welcome to our Spotlight Series! We’re talking paleo-science with some paleo-people! In this 5-part series, we’ve interviewed 5 different invertebrate paleontologists about their research and other work. In Episode 3, our guest is Dr. Alycia Stigall, sharing with us her research on the best animals ever (according to her), brachiopods! And also discussing what it’s like to run a whole lab of paleontologists. Find Alycia in these places: http://www.alyciastigall.org/ Twitter: @alycia_stigall If

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01:41:32

Episode 43 - The Great American Biotic Interchange...

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/09

For tens of millions of years, North and South America were separate sisters across the sea, each with their own unique ecosystems. But around 3 million years ago, the Isthmus of Panama brought the landmasses together and kicked off an incredible mass migration of life between the continents. Some species thrived, others suffered, and in the end the very ecosystem structure of both continents was drastically altered, setting the stage for the American wildlife we know today. In the news: prehistoric

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37:37

Spotlight - Adriane Lam (2/5)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/08

Welcome to our Spotlight Series! We’re talking paleo-science with some paleo-people! In this 5-part series, we’ve interviewed 5 different invertebrate paleontologists about their research and other work. It’s Episode 2, and we’re chatting with Adriane Lam to discuss her work exploring ancient oceans through tiny foraminifera (not technically invertebrates, we know…) as well as her efforts bringing scientists and science education to the public with Time Scavengers! Find Adriane and Time Scavengers

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53:20

Spotlight - Dave Marshall (1/5)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/09/01

Welcome to our Spotlight Series! We’re talking paleo-science with some paleo-people! Across this 5-part series, you’ll get to know some paleontologists as we interview them about their research and their lives as scientists. Our theme for this series is Invertebrate Paleontology. In this first episode, we sit down with Dave Marshall to chat about his research on eurypterids (sea scorpions!) and his work creating and running Palaeocast, the Virtual Natural History Museum, and more! Find Dave in

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01:57:14

Episode 42 - Spinosaurs

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/08/26

It's a dinosaur episode! With their croc-like faces, their weird ornamentation, and their curious fondness for water, the spinosaurs are among the most bizarre and fascinating of all dinosaurs. In this episode, we introduce Spinosaurus and the gang and discuss why these dinos are so cool - and so controversial. In the news: secrets of regeneration, a new pterosaur, a really old animal, and giant hunting insects. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:08:00 Main discussion, Part 1:

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01:45:31

Episode 41 - Evolution of Whales

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/08/12

There have been several times in evolutionary history where a land-dwelling group has transitioned to life in the water, but few have done it so successfully as the cetaceans. Not only are modern whales diverse and fascinating, but their ancestors have left behind an incredible fossil record of their transition into the sea. All that and more as we discuss the Evolution of Whales. In the news: the evolution of ant castes, the strange skulls of aye-ayes, really old worms (maybe), and a shark

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01:47:27

Episode 40 - Madagascar

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/07/29

The island of Madagascar, isolated from all other landmasses on Earth, hosts one of the planet’s most unique ecosystems. But it’s not just an interesting place today – the geologic and fossil history of this land is equally fascinating! In this episode, we take a tour through time, stopping off at some of Madagascar’s most magical moments to marvel at some truly unique and incredible assortments of life. In the news: an early giant dinosaur, more on human origins, ancient fish appendages, and a baby

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51:33

...But We Digress - Mermaids

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/07/22

We just talked last episode about Speculative Evolution, so now is a great time to tackle another request we received: to talk about mermaids! In this digression, we discuss these famous mythical marine creatures and do some speculating of our own. Could aquatic humans evolve? And if so, what might they really look like? Follow and Support us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC Facebook:

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01:50:48

Episode 39 - Speculative Evolution

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/07/15

This episode, we’re discussing the fun and fascinating “What If” thought experiments of evolution. From fantastical fictional stories to unusual scientific hypotheses to just-for-fun artistic creations, speculative evolution is all about exploring the unseen (and maybe never-to-be-seen) possibilities of real biological science. We’ll touch on some of our favorite “hard science fiction” as well as how this style of creative thinking can contribute to the study of real living creatures of the past ..

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01:52:13

Episode 38 - Grass

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/07/01

At long last, a plant episode! Our friend Aly Baumgartner joins the podcast to teach us all about grass - it's not just part of the background! From humble beginnings during the Age of Reptiles, grasses have gone on to dominate global ecosystems (as well as human diet!) and continue to do so today. They are truly one of the most influential groups of life on Earth. In the news: strange ancient reef fish, dinosaur tongues, a surprise extinct gibbon, and a history of primate claws. Time markers:

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46:35

Silver Screen Science - Jurassic World: Fallen...

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/06/30

Part 5 of 5! This is it – the end of our series! We’ve now re-watched all the old movies and finally turned to the newest one for our “science reviews.” How do these movies handle such subjects as prehistoric creatures, the science of paleontology, and the portrayal of scientists? Fresh out in theaters – Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018). Follow and Support us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC Facebook:

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01:12:19

Episode 37.5 - More Birds

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/06/24

Surprise! We've gotten a lot of bird requests, so to follow up our Evolution of Birds discussion, we put together three mini-discussions based on other birds our listeners have asked to hear about: 1. The evolution and fossil history of flamingos. 2. The fossil record of the famous predatory "terror birds." 3. Argentavis and Pelagornis, history's largest flying birds. Time markers: Intro: 00:00:00 Flamingos: 00:02:30 Terror birds: 00:23:30 Giant flying birds: 00:46:30 Check out our blog for bonus

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