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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

161:39

Episode 233 - Flies and Mosquitoes

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/12/21

Of all the highly successful and capable flying insects in the world, few are as successful or capable as those in the order Diptera. This episode, we’re joined by special guest Brandon Strauss to discuss the distinctive anatomy and varied habits of flies, mosquitoes, and their many two-winged relatives. Then, we’ll peer into the past for a glimpse at the fossil record and dynamic evolutionary history of the group.In the news: long-nosed crocs, river mosasaurs, stampeding sea turtles, and giant

en

136:20

Episode 232 - Vertebrate Origins

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/12/07

Today, bony animals are some of the most diverse organisms on Earth, but it wasn’t always that way. This episode, we explore what features distinguish vertebrates from their closest relatives, and we dive into the abundant evidence from genetics, embryology, and the fossil record that gives us a glimpse at how our distant ancestors came to be.In the news: swimming hands, early life, Dunkleosteus jaws, and Neanderthal noses Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:05:35 Main

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163:14

Episode 231 - Back to the Water (Secondarily Aquatic...

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/11/23

Nearly 400 million years ago, an unusual group of fish gave rise to the first land-dwelling vertebrates. Since then, their descendants have repeatedly moved back into the water. This episode, we explore the many ways these species adapt to the challenges of turning a terrestrial body into one that can survive at sea, and we investigate some of the most famous and confusing cases from the fossil record.In the news: post-extinction oceans, croc eggs, damaged dino tails, and meat-eating dung

en

136:08

Episode 230 - Pachycephalosaurs

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/11/09

The dome-headed dinosaurs are some of the most iconic ancient reptiles, but they’re surprisingly unexplored compared to other dinos. This episode, we explore what makes these dinosaurs unique, what limits our understanding of them, and the many confounding mysteries that paleontologists have been scratching their heads over, including the question of what exactly they were doing with those thick heads.In the news: the I Know Dino children’s book, giant reptile locomotion, and dinosaur hooves. Time

en

99:26

Silver Screen Science - Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/11/05

In this special guest episode of Silver Screen Science, we're joined by Sabrina and Garret of I Know Dino to discuss the science and scientists of the newest installment in the Jurassic franchise: Jurassic World: Rebirth! Find more Common Descent: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join Common Descent and I Know Dino on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast https://www.patreon.com/cw/iknowdino Lots more ways to connect with us:

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58:40

Cute-E – Pikmin

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/11/01

Welcome … to Cute-E!During our Spook-E series, we speculate on the evolution of monsters from myth and popular media, but we leave out fiction’s more adorable creatures. In Cute-E, we choose cuddlier critters and discuss how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo. This episode, we pluck precious partners from the soil. What could be the evolutionary background of

en

141:06

Episode 229 - Myrmecophagy (Ant-Eating)

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/10/26

Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to mess with ants. But several lineages of animals have evolved to be ant-eating specialists. This episode, we discuss anteaters, the suite of adaptations that allow them to focus on ant-eating, and the variety of other species that have evolved similar adaptations for the same purpose. We explore the evolutionary history of ant-eating mammals and even dinosaurs through the fossil record and genetic evidence.In the news: butt-drags, ancient leeches,

en

69:00

Spook-E – Metroids

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/10/25

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo! This episode, we take the hunt across the stars. What biological explanation can we find for jellyfish-shaped parasites with a complex and terrifying life cycle? Our creatures to create

en

62:51

Spook-E – Kremlings

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/10/18

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo! This time, we’re sailing with the scourges of DK Isle. What circumstances might lead to the evolution of crocodile-faced humanoid pirates? Our creatures to create this time:

en

115:27

Episode 228 - Dinosaur Provincial Park

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/10/12

Located in southeastern Alberta is a stretch of gorgeous badlands that are home to some of the world’s absolute best Late Cretaceous fossils. This episode, we explore how Dinosaur Provincial Park earned its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we list off some of the famous dinosaurs who once lived there, and we discuss a fraction of the many fossil discoveries that have been made at the Park since the late 1800s.In the news: Cretaceous crocs, baby pterosaurs, late megaraptorans, and early

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57:06

Spook-E – Octoroks

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/10/11

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo! This episode, we take a trip to the Kingdom of Hyrule. How might nature develop an octopus-like monster with a penchant for projectiles? Our creatures to create this time:

en

66:10

Spook-E – Piranha Plants

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/10/04

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo! This episode, we begin with a baddie from the Mushroom Kingdom. What evolutionary path might generate a pipe-dwelling plant-like predator? Our creatures to create this time: Piranha

en

146:52

Episode 227 - Beaks

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/09/28

The faces of vertebrate animals are often soft and full of teeth, but there is a common alternative. Birds, turtles, and many more groups have developed toothless snouts covered in a tough sheath. This episode, we’ll explore the defining features of beaks and their various functions. And we’ll take a tour through animal life past and present to investigate the reasons behind the repeated evolution of beaks among dinosaurs and beyond.In the news: Life on Mars, ancient sharks, mammoth microbes, and

en

124:57

Episode 226 - Dodos

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/09/14

Dodos are probably the single most famous case of recent human-induced extinction. First documented in the late 1500s and extinct within a century, dodos have become a global reminder of the devastating potential of human activity. This episode, we review the brief history of human interactions with dodos, and we explore what recent research and fossil evidence has taught us about these birds and their closest relatives.In the news: Cretaceous crocs, extra-spiky dinosaurs, turtles of the sea, and

en

02:55:48

Episode 225 - Forests

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/08/31

Forests are among the most widespread and diverse biomes on our planet. This episode, we’re joined by our favorite paleobotanist, Dr. Aly Baumgartner, to explore what defines a forest, how these habitats function, and how they differ around the globe. Then, we’ll take a trip into the past to discuss how paleontologists study ancient forests and how these biomes have changed over hundreds of millions of years.In the news: ocean sediments, early penguins, island foxes, Canadian dragonflies, and

en

02:14:54

Episode 224 - Bipedalism

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/08/17

Most vertebrate animals on land get around on all fours, but some of us have committed to two-legged locomotion. This episode, we explore the various ways animals have evolved bipedalism and the many benefits that come with it. We’ll also take a look at how we identify bipedal animals in the fossil record, and we’ll zoom in on the evolutionary story behind Earth history’s most successful bipeds.In the news: potato origins, trilobite legs, bone worm burrows, and australopithecine sexes. Time

en

02:38:54

Episode 223 - Mutations

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/08/03

Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. As our cells constantly divide and reproduce and replicate our DNA, errors and inconsistencies develop, leading to the incredible variation of life that drives evolutionary change. This episode, we explore the genetic mechanisms behind mutation and we discuss how scientists study mutations to understand the evolutionary history of life on Earth. In the news: Neanderthal tools, caiman food, dancing dinosaurs, and ancient integument. Time markers: Intro &

en

02:20:57

Episode 222 - Shrews

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/07/20

Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:09:35 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:45:25 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:40:50 Patron question: 02:12:35

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02:30:24

Episode 221 - Legless Lizards

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/07/06

Lizards are extremely good at becoming snake-shaped. A long body with small or absent limbs is a shape that has evolved dozens of times across nearly every major lineage of lizards. This episode, we explore the diversity of leglessness in lizards, we discuss which groups have done it and which groups have done it best, and we examine what’s known about the repeated evolution of this unexpected body shape.In the news: giant dusky salamander, very early footprints, a Denisovan skull, a mammoth tusk

en

02:27:35

Episode 220 - Terrestrial Crocs

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2025/06/22

Today’s crocs are iconic semi-aquatic predators, but their extended family tree features lots of land-dwelling cousins. This episode, we take a tour through croc evolutionary history and explore the many times these reptiles have taken to life on dry land. We’ll examine what features these terrestrial crocs shared, which ones they didn’t, and what their fossils tell us about how the shape of crocs has changed over time.In the news: sauropod guts, Australian biomarkers, butterfly scales, and

en

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