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 ...
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 evolution, and Clovis diets.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:07:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:46:45
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:14:20
Patron question: 02:00:30
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
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2:09:22
Episode 206 - Vestigial Structures
Evolution involves the innovation of new features, but even more reduction of old features. Those reduced features might disappear, develop in a new direction, or just linger as a functionless evidence of deep ancestry. This episode, we explore how we identify vestigial traits, how they help us understand evolutionary history, and the various evolutionary paths vestigial structures can take.
In the news: giant worm lizards, drumstick evolution, dinosaur poop, and pterosaur transitions.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:00
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:36:45
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:22:30
Patron question: 01:56:50
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
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2:07:54
Spotlight 2024 - Kallie, Gabriel, and Blake, Eons
Welcome to Spotlight 2024! In this series, we’re sitting down with our fellow paleo-podcasters to discuss Science Communication.
It’s the final episode! And we’re thrilled to be joined by Kallie, Gabriel, and Blake from PBS Eons and their podcast, Eons: Surviving Deep Time!
Find Eons here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eons-surviving-deep-time/id1610360633
https://www.youtube.com/@eons
Find Kallie online at @fossil_librarian and www.kallielmoore.com
Kallie’s book, Tales of the Prehistoric World: https://neonsquidbooks.com/books/tales-of-the-prehistoric-world/
Why Dinosaurs? https://www.whydinosaurs.com/
Find Gabriel online at @PaleoParadox and @CosplayForScience
Find Cosplay for Science at www.cosplayforscience.com
Find Blake online as @WesternDigs
Connect with Common Descent: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
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1:20:06
Episode 205 - Parasitic Plants
Not all plants rely on the sun for their energy. Thousands of species are adapted for stealing nutrients from other plants. This episode, Aly joins us to explore the diversity and evolution of parasitic plants, their varied lifestyles, and their impacts on their hosts. We also examine the surprising nature of the parasitic plant fossil record.
In the news: a frozen sabertooth kitten, plesiosaur swimming, wing evolution, and dinosaur body armor.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:45
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:54:20
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:33:20
Patron question: 02:10:30
Follow Aly online at @PaleoLorax
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
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2:20:32
Episode 204 - The Messinian Salinity Crisis
Around six million years ago, the Mediterranean Sea dried up, wreaking havoc with local marine life and leaving a dramatic legacy in the geologic record in the form of massive salt deposits. This episode, we’ll explore the evidence for this event, why it happened, how it ended, and the impact it left in the fossil record.
In the news: marine crocs, giant cicadas, giant tadpoles, and drowning bats.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:25
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:42:35
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:09:35
Patron question: 02:02:15
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
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 subscribers on Patreon.
New episodes with new topics every fortnight!
France