Episode 44 - Hybridization

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.

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

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The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Muscial Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Spotlight - Chris Mah (4/5)

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 you like Spotlight, let us know and we'll do more of it in the future!

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

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iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Spotlight - Alycia Stigall (3/5)

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 you like Spotlight, let us know and we'll do more of it in the future!

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 43 - The Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI)

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 parasites, early turtle evolution, teeth through time, and a surprising hominin hybrid. Also, a devastating museum fire in Brazil.

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http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

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iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Muscial Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Spotlight - Adriane Lam (2/5)

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 in these places:
Twitter: @ForamWhisperer; @TimeScavengers
Timescavengers.blog
Facebook.com/TimeScavengers/

If you like Spotlight, let us know and we'll do more of it in the future!

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Spotlight - Dave Marshall (1/5)

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 these places:
Twitter: @DaveJMarshall
Palaeocast.com
VNHM.org

If you like Spotlight, let us know and we'll do more of it in the future!

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Follow and Support us on:
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iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 42 - Spinosaurs

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.

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

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iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Muscial 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 41 - Evolution of Whales

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 turnover.

Check out Will’s guest appearance on The Cruise Geeks podcast! https://thecruisegeeks.podbean.com/e/the-cruise-geeks-episode-26-geekettes-and-sharks/

Today’s Patron Question comes from Cheryl!

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

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iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Muscial 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 40 - Madagascar

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 snake in amber!

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

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iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Muscial Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

…But We Digress - Mermaids

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?

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iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.