The Common Descent Podcast
- Episodes
- 393
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 8, 2026
About the 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 subscribers on Patreon. New episodes with new topics every fortnight!
Episodes 393
Episode 256 - Predatory Lures
Why spend all that effort chasing after prey when you could just convince them to come to you? This episode, we explore the many and varied ways that predators lure their prey, from dangling lights to …
Show notes
Why spend all that effort chasing after prey when you could just convince them to come to you? This episode, we explore the many and varied ways that predators lure their prey, from dangling lights to strategically-placed bait. And we’ll discuss the evolutionary pros and cons of this life strategy, and how all sorts of animals – and plants – make the most of it.
In the news: big Jurassic bugs, big Jurassic belemnites, ocean amphibians, and aquatic anatomy.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:35
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:38:50
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:29:25
Patron question: 01:55:20Submit your question for the End of the Year Q&A!
https://forms.gle/3UTrTy1R34QZPEDN9Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Cute-E - Tribbles
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 …
Show notes
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 Aliens!
This episode, we’re overrun with cuteness! What evolutionary history could lead to pesky swarms of irresistibly adorable fuzzballs? Our creatures to create this time: Tribbles.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://commondescentpodcast.com/
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Episode 255 - Plant Origins
Here on our blue-and-green planet, the green is plants. This episode, Aly joins us again to explore the beginnings of this all-important group of life. We’ll discuss which ancestors gave rise to true plants …
Show notes
Here on our blue-and-green planet, the green is plants. This episode, Aly joins us again to explore the beginnings of this all-important group of life. We’ll discuss which ancestors gave rise to true plants, what the fossil record tells us about the timing of this momentous event, and the array of key adaptations that allowed plants to join their fungus and animal cousins up on dry land.
In the news: mosasaurs, more mosasaurs, Jurassic mammals, and horned dinosaurs.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:25
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:47:35
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:16:05
Patron question: 02:05:35Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Spook-E - Andalites
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. It’s Spook-E Season! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling …
Show notes
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
It’s Spook-E Season! 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 Aliens!
Our final Spook-E creature for this season comes from sci-fi young adult fiction! How in the world (Earth, specifically) could evolution explain furry, centaur-shaped telepaths? Our creatures to create this time: Andalites.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://commondescentpodcast.com/
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Spook-E - Headcrabs
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. It’s Spook-E Season! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling …
Show notes
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
It’s Spook-E Season! 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 Aliens!
This time, we pull an extra-dimensional horror from the world of video games. What might lead natural processes to develop creepy-crawly parasite-hats? Our creates to create this time: Headcrabs.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://commondescentpodcast.com/
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Episode 254 - Abelisaurs
During the Cretaceous Period, while tyrannosaurs stomped around the northern continents, the less famous abelisaurs were the top predatory dinosaurs of the south. This episode, we piece together the history and …
Show notes
During the Cretaceous Period, while tyrannosaurs stomped around the northern continents, the less famous abelisaurs were the top predatory dinosaurs of the south. This episode, we piece together the history and diversity of these predators, and we explore what they were doing with their bulldog faces, tiny arms, and in some cases, horned faces.
In the news: plesiosaur vomit, seaweed snacks, bat evolution, and flying dinosaurs.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:07:10
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:42:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:14:40
Patron question: 02:03:10Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Spook-E - Greys
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. It’s Spook-E Season! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling …
Show notes
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
It’s Spook-E Season! 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 Aliens!
This episode, we explore the mysterious beings (supposedly) in our own backyard! What evolutionary path can we devise for round-headed, eerie beings lurking just beyond our understanding? Our creatures to create this time: Greys.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://commondescentpodcast.com/
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Spook-E - Xenomorphs
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 …
Show notes
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 Aliens!
Where better to begin than with the quintessential big screen terrors from beyond the stars? How might Earth-based evolution produce a human-hunting monster that’s equal parts predator and parasitoid? Our creatures to create this time: Xenomorphs.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://commondescentpodcast.com/
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Episode 253 - Kangaroos
Kangaroos – and their wallaroo and wallaby cousins – are some of the most recognizable, charismatic, and impressively strange mammals on the planet. This episode, we explore the surprising diversity of this …
Show notes
Kangaroos – and their wallaroo and wallaby cousins – are some of the most recognizable, charismatic, and impressively strange mammals on the planet. This episode, we explore the surprising diversity of this group, we discuss how they manage to be world’s pre-eminent hoppers, and we delve into some of their unexpected fossil relatives.
In the news: warm tyrannosaurs, sea star ancestors, traveling dinosaurs, and new cats.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:35
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:50:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:36:40
Patron question: 02:32:45Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Episode 252 - The Ice Age
About 10% of the Earth’s land surface is currently covered in persistent glacial ice, but for most of Earth history, that number was much closer to zero. This episode, we explore what happens when ice overtakes …
Show notes
About 10% of the Earth’s land surface is currently covered in persistent glacial ice, but for most of Earth history, that number was much closer to zero. This episode, we explore what happens when ice overtakes our planet and how we investigate icy conditions of the distant past, and we’ll take a close look at the most recent (and ongoing) global climate event that we commonly call the Ice Age.
In the news: distant space objects, snake embryos, Jurassic chirps, and polar dinosaur nests.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:35
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:40:35
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:16:45
Patron question: 02:02:10Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Episode 251 - The Sun
The Sun is kind of a big deal. It is the center of our solar system, around which all other objects revolve, and its heat and light are responsible for the life-supporting conditions here on Earth. This …
Show notes
The Sun is kind of a big deal. It is the center of our solar system, around which all other objects revolve, and its heat and light are responsible for the life-supporting conditions here on Earth. This episode, we take a close look at how the Sun actually works and what makes it different from other stars. Then, we track the lifetime of the Sun, exploring how it originally formed, how it has changed over its lifetime, and how it will eventually burn out.
In the news: carnivorous plants, ancient burrowers, live birth, and reptile metabolism.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:07:50
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:46:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:47:40
Patron question: 02:37:05💗
https://imaginationlibrary.com/the-dollywood-foundation/Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Episode 250 - Camels
Large, herbivorous mammals come in many shapes and sizes, but few are as famously unusual as camels. This episode, we explore the surprising adaptations of Old World and New World camelids, from the dromedaries …
Show notes
Large, herbivorous mammals come in many shapes and sizes, but few are as famously unusual as camels. This episode, we explore the surprising adaptations of Old World and New World camelids, from the dromedaries of Middle Eastern deserts to the llamas of the Andean highlands. Then, we take a tour through their fossil record to investigate the many forms this family took on the way to our modern diversity.
In the news: stomach stones, aquatic reptiles, tiny dinosaurs, and a Poop Explosion.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:20
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:42:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:21:40
Patron question: 02:11:05Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Episode 249 - Sexual Dimorphism
In most animal species, there are differences in the anatomy, behavior, and lifestyle of male and female individuals. In this episode, we explore the incredible variety of these differences and the equally …
Show notes
In most animal species, there are differences in the anatomy, behavior, and lifestyle of male and female individuals. In this episode, we explore the incredible variety of these differences and the equally incredible blurry areas between the sexes, we investigate the evolutionary processes behind these features, and we examine the constant and confounding discussion about whether or not we can spot sexual dimorphism in the fossil record.
In the news: The Story of Birds, early snakes, and early archosaurs.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:40
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:42:45
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:34:40
Patron question: 02:45:00Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Episode 248 - Big Cats
Felines come in all shapes and sizes, but only a handful of them are large enough and in charge enough to have earned the title of “Big Cats.” This episode, we’re joined by special guest Lindsay Nikole as we …
Show notes
Felines come in all shapes and sizes, but only a handful of them are large enough and in charge enough to have earned the title of “Big Cats.” This episode, we’re joined by special guest Lindsay Nikole as we take a tour through the surprising diversity of the “official” and “unofficial” big cats, and we explore how their evolutionary past has shaped this impressive assortment of apex predators.
Find more of Lindsay here: https://www.youtube.com/@LindsayNikole
And shout-out to the Cheetah Conservation Fund: https://cheetah.org/In the news: giant sharks, early movements, Cretaceous fruits, and snake venoms.
Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:55
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:46:15
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:43:00
Patron question: 02:42:05Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Snake Stuff with Ali Ashraf
Happy Snake Month! In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Ali Ashraf to talk about his research on the distribution and evolution of water snakes! This month only! Join the Snakes & Crocs …
Show notes
Happy Snake Month!
In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Ali Ashraf to talk about his research on the distribution and evolution of water snakes!
This month only! Join the Snakes & Crocs Tier on our Patreon to receive a Snake Month sticker and to contribute to charitable donations toward reptile and other wildlife conservation!
www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcastThis year, our donations are going toward:
Save the Snakes
https://savethesnakes.org/
The Crocodile Research Coalition
https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/
The Natural Resources Defense Council
https://www.nrdc.org/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
Episode 247 – Vipers
Happy Snake Month! Some of the most fascinating, famous, and dangerous snakes on the planet belong to the family Viperidae. Vipers include some of the world’s most specialized ambush hunters, and they are one …
Show notes
Happy Snake Month!
Some of the most fascinating, famous, and dangerous snakes on the planet belong to the family Viperidae. Vipers include some of the world’s most specialized ambush hunters, and they are one of the most diverse and successful groups of snakes. This episode, we take a tour through the many visages of vipers, we explore their unique adaptations from head to tail, and we investigate the deep history that led them to their incredible modern success.
In the news: colorful crocs, pregnant mussels, tiny migration, and surprising snakes.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:45
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:40:25
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:26:15
Patron question: 03:04:40With the help of our Patrons, we’ll be donating this year to:
Save the Snakes https://savethesnakes.org/
The Crocodile Research Coalition https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/
The Natural Resources Defense Council https://www.nrdc.org/Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Episode 246 - Gharials
Happy Croc Month! Most living crocodilian species look pretty similar overall – that’s why there are so many tips for telling alligators from crocodiles – but one group really stands out with their bulging eyes …
Show notes
Happy Croc Month!
Most living crocodilian species look pretty similar overall – that’s why there are so many tips for telling alligators from crocodiles – but one group really stands out with their bulging eyes and remarkably slender snouts. This episode, we explore the various features and habits that make gharials unique among crocs, and which have caused no end of confusion for scientists trying to sort out their evolutionary history. And, of course, we’ll take a trip into the fossil record to visit some of the most extraordinary long-snouted crocs of the distant past.
In the news: hagfish eyes, dinosaur arms, fungal spores, and fishing dinosaurs.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:45
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:40:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:09:35
Patron question: 02:12:00With the help of our Patrons, we’ll be donating this year to:
The Crocodile Research Coalition https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/
Save the Snakes https://savethesnakes.org/
The Natural Resources Defense Council https://www.nrdc.org/Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
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
Croc Chat with Maddie Turala
Happy Croc Month! In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Maddie Turala to talk about her research on estimating body size in fossil alligators! This month only! Join the Crocs & Snakes …
Show notes
Happy Croc Month!
In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Maddie Turala to talk about her research on estimating body size in fossil alligators!
This month only! Join the Crocs & Snakes Tier on our Patreon to receive a Croc Month sticker and to contribute to charitable donations toward reptile and other wildlife conservation!
www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcastThis year, our donations are going toward:
The Crocodile Research Coalition
https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/
Save the Snakes
https://savethesnakes.org/
The Natural Resources Defense Council
https://www.nrdc.org/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
Episode 245 - Cycads
Cycads are cousins of conifers, and although they can be found throughout the modern tropics, they are often considered a visual indicator of prehistory. This episode, Aly joins us to explore what sets cycads …
Show notes
Cycads are cousins of conifers, and although they can be found throughout the modern tropics, they are often considered a visual indicator of prehistory. This episode, Aly joins us to explore what sets cycads apart from other plants, what we know of their deep history, and whether they truly deserve their reputation as dinosaur food.
In the news: toothless crocs, Arctic mammals, turtle relations, and crater life.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:10:35
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:41:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:25:55
Patron question: 02:00:45Check 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
Episode 244 - Sea Turtles
Most modern turtles are pretty good in the water, but only some are truly ocean-dwellers. This episode, we explore the unique and diverse lifestyles and anatomy of modern sea turtles, then we take a tour of …
Show notes
Most modern turtles are pretty good in the water, but only some are truly ocean-dwellers. This episode, we explore the unique and diverse lifestyles and anatomy of modern sea turtles, then we take a tour of turtles through time, visiting the surprising number of ancient lineages that have taken to the seas and the surprising forms some of them have taken.
In the news: twisted jaws, early centipedes, Ediacaran microbes, and Neanderthal teeth
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:45
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:43:50
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:30:10
Patron question: 02:14:60Happy World Turtle Day! https://worldturtleday.org/
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
Episode 243 - Burrowers
A lot of life on Earth happens underground. This episode, we sample the species that have taken to a life of digging in the dirt – and elsewhere – why they do it and what physical adaptations help them along …
Show notes
A lot of life on Earth happens underground. This episode, we sample the species that have taken to a life of digging in the dirt – and elsewhere – why they do it and what physical adaptations help them along the way. Then, we’ll take a tour of burrows in the fossil record and explore what clues paleontologists can use to determine which ancient critter constructed a given burrow.
In the news: malaria history, false octopus, pterosaur tracks, and giant octopus.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:55
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:45:05
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:17:55
Patron question: 02:12:45Check 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
Leaf it to Us Season 2 Trailer
Leaf it to Us Season 2 is coming! Episode 1 drops on May 7th! You can find Leaf it to Us on any podcast platform! Consider supporting Leaf it to Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leafittouspod And connect …
Show notes
Leaf it to Us Season 2 is coming! Episode 1 drops on May 7th!
You can find Leaf it to Us on any podcast platform!
Consider supporting Leaf it to Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leafittouspod
And connect with the community in these places: https://linktr.ee/leafittouspod
The Leaf it to Us theme song is “Late Bloomer” by Devours. Find more from Devours at https://devours.bandcamp.com/
Silver Screen Science - The Valley of Gwangi (1969)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we’re wrapping things …
Show notes
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs!
This episode, we’re wrapping things up with a tale of cowboys and dinosaurs in The Valley of Gwangi!
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: 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.
Episode 242 - Fire
Earth is a very flammable world. The combination of heat, oxygen, and burnable plants makes fire a constant feature of our planet. Many modern ecosystems thrive in the presence of fire, and lots of plant and …
Show notes
Earth is a very flammable world. The combination of heat, oxygen, and burnable plants makes fire a constant feature of our planet. Many modern ecosystems thrive in the presence of fire, and lots of plant and animal species have adapted to avoid or take advantage of the flames. This episode, we explore the diverse topic of fire ecology, and we take a tour through the deep history of fire on Earth.
In the news: Triassic crocs, anglerfish lures, behavior and evolution, and synapsid babies.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:48:25
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:35:05
Patron question: 02:17:55Check 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
Silver Screen Science - One Million Years B.C. (1966)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we visit a classic of …
Show notes
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs!
This episode, we visit a classic of mid-century caveman-versus-dinosaur cinema, with One Million Years B.C.
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: 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.
Silver Screen Science - Dinosaur Shorts (Gertie, Slumber Mountain, Fantasia)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we compile and …
Show notes
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs!
This episode, we compile and compare a handful of dino-themed short films from the early days of dinosaur movies: Gertie the Dinosaur, The Ghost of Slumber Mountain, and the Rite of Spring segment from Disney’s Fantasia.
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: 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.
Episode 241 - Digestion
The world is full of food, but in order to make the most of it, living organisms need to be able to break it down and extract the useful nutrients. This episode, we explore the fundamental process of digestion …
Show notes
The world is full of food, but in order to make the most of it, living organisms need to be able to break it down and extract the useful nutrients. This episode, we explore the fundamental process of digestion and the many, many ways that life has adapted this process to various diets. And we’ll take a look at what the fossil record has to tell us about ancient diets and the evolutionary history of digestive systems.
In the news: predator bites, coelacanth lungs, Cambrian claws, and squid evolution.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:55
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:38:10
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:23:30
Patron question: 02:06:50Check 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
Silver Screen Science - The Lost World (1925)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we start things off …
Show notes
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs!
This episode, we start things off with the great grand-daddy of dinosaur movies: The Lost World (1925).
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: 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.
Episode 240 - Terror Birds
For most of the Cenozoic Era, South America was home to an incredible group of predatory birds called phorusrhacids, which included some of the largest carnivorous birds of all time. With their giant axe-like …
Show notes
For most of the Cenozoic Era, South America was home to an incredible group of predatory birds called phorusrhacids, which included some of the largest carnivorous birds of all time. With their giant axe-like beaks and powerful clawed legs, these giants have gained the nickname “terror birds.” This episode, we explore what makes these birds unique, how they varied across their diversity, and what exactly they were doing with all those terrifying tools.
In the news: a bitten plesiosaur, wildflower adaptation, a new croc, and dinosaur parents.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:25
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:51:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:29:30
Patron question: 02:30:05Some helpful links mentioned in the Announcements:
The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The National Immigrant Justice Center: https://immigrantjustice.org/
Pal Humanity: https://chuffed.org/project/122818-support-north-gaza-rebuilding-lives-restoring-hope-with-pal-humanity?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bioCheck 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
Episode 239 - Nocturnality
Creatures of the night! The world is a different place in the dark, and a whole array of organisms have adapted to being most active outside of daytime hours. This episode, we’ll explore the regular traits that …
Show notes
Creatures of the night! The world is a different place in the dark, and a whole array of organisms have adapted to being most active outside of daytime hours. This episode, we’ll explore the regular traits that allow nocturnal animals to get by, we’ll discuss some of the ways nocturnal evolution has shaped living species, and we’ll investigate which – if any – of these traits we can identify in the fossil record.
In the news: snake hormones, Australian amphibians, ancient microbes, and baby dinosaurs.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:07:25
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:39:15
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:14:30
Patron question: 02:03:45Check 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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