Bad at Goodbyes

Latest Episodes:

European Sturgeon Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

European Sturgeon :: Acipenser sturio

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 029

On today’s show we learn about the European Sturgeon, a critically endangered fish native to Western Europe, specifically the Gironde Estuary on the west coast of France in the Gironde Department.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(30:47) Citations
(32:58) Music
(37:59) Pledge

For more information about the conservation and protection of the European Sturgeon please visit the World Sturgeon Conservation Society at https://www.wscs.info

Research for today’s show was compiled from:

“Acipenser sturio Recovery Research Actions in France.” Williot, P., Rochard, E., Rouault, T., Kirschbaum, F. (2009). In: Carmona, R., Domezain, A., García-Gallego, M., Hernando, J.A., Rodríguez, F., Ruiz-Rejón, M. (eds) Biology, Conservation and Sustainable Development of Sturgeons. Fish & Fisheries Series, vol 29. Springer, Dordrecht – https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8437-9_15
“Biological characteristics of European Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser sturio, as the basis for a restoration program in France.” Williot, P. et al. (1997). In: Birstein, V.J., Waldman, J.R., Bemis, W.E. (eds). Sturgeon Biodiversity and Conservation. Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes, vol 17. Springer, Dordrecht. – https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-46854-9_24
“Biological Observations on the Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser sturio)”. Borodin, N. (1925). Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, Vol. 55 No.1, p 184–190 – https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(1925)55[184:BOOTAS]2.0.CO;2
"Conservation Status and Effectiveness of the National and International Policies for the Protection and Conservation of Sturgeons in the Danube River and Black Sea Basin". Strat, Daniela, and Iuliana Florentina Gheorghe. 2023. Diversity Vol. 15, no. 4: 568 – https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040568
“Energy audit and carbon footprint in trawl fisheries.” Sala A, Damalas D, Labanchi L, Martinsohn J, Moro F, Sabatella R, Notti E. Scientific Data. 2022 Jul 20;9(1):428. – https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01478-0
“The Evolution of the Spiracular Region From Jawless Fishes to Tetrapods”. Gai Zhikun, Zhu Min, Ahlberg Per E., Donoghue Philip C. J. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Vol. 10. 2022 – https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.887172
IUCN – https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/230/242530547
“Meristic and morphological features of the Baltic sturgeon (Acipenser sturio L.)”. Debus, L. (1999). Journal of Applied Ichthyology, Vol. 15: 38-45. – https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.1999.tb00203.x
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fisheries. Species Directory: European Sturgeon – https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/european-sturgeon/overview
“Phylogenetic Biodiversity Metrics Should Account for Both Accumulation and Attrition of Evolutionary Heritage”. James Rosindell, Kerry Manson, Rikki Gumbs, William D Pearse, Mike Steel. Systematic Biology, Volume 73, Issue 1, January 2024, Pages 158–182 – https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syad072
“Phylogeography of the European Sturgeon (Acipenser sturio): A critically endangered species”. Olivier Chassaing, Nathalie Desse-Berset, Catherine Hänni, Sandrine Hughes, Patrick Berrebi. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Volume 94, Part A, 2016, Pages 346-357 – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2015.09.020
“Reasons for the decline of Acipenser sturio L., 1758 in central Europe, and attempts at its restoration”. J. Gessner. Bulletin of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography Vol. 16 no. 1-4. 2000 pp 117-126 – https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/71764893.pdf
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_sea_sturgeon

Please find us on the web at Bad at Goodbyes and on instagram. Please subscribe and rate/review Bad at Goodbyes wherever you listen to podcasts. Please help spread the word about the show and about the species we feature. Please take care of each other, and all of our fellow travelers.

A note on accuracy: I strive for it! These episodes are well-researched and built from scholarly sources, hoping to provide an informed and accurate portrait of these species. That said, I’m an ambient musician! I am not an academic and have limited scientific background. I may get things wrong! If you are using this podcast for scholarship of any kind, please see the cited sources and double-check all information.

Bonaire Palm Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Bonaire Palm :: Sabal lougheediana

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 028

On today’s show we learn about the Bonaire Palm, a critically endangered palm native to the island of Bonaire in the southern Caribbean Sea.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(20:11) Citations
(21:55) Music
(27:59) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. BioNews, May 8, 2024 – https://dcnanature.org/palmdiversity/
Encyclopedia of Earth. Fund, W. (2012). Aruba-Curaçao-Bonaire cactus scrub. – http://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/Aruba-Curaçao-Bonaire_cactus_scrub
“Ex Situ Conservation of Large and Small Plant Populations Illustrates Limitations of Common Conservation Metrics.” M. Patrick Griffith, Falon Cartwright, Michael Dosmann, Jeremie Fant, Ethan Freid, Kayri Havens, Brett Jestrow, Andrea T. Kramer, Tracy M. Magellan, Alan W. Meerow, Abby Meyer, Vanessa Sanchez, Eugenio Santiago-Valentín, Emma Spence, Jose A. Sustasche-Sustache, Javier Francisco-Ortega, and Sean Hoban. International Journal of Plant Sciences, Volume 182, Number 4. – https://doi.org/10.1086/713446
“Genomic patterns of native palms from the Leeward Antilles confirm single-island endemism and guide conservation priorities.” Clugston, J.A.R., Coolen, Q., Houtepen, E. et al. Conservation Genetics Vol. 25, 985–997 (2024). – https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-024-01618-6
IUCN - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/207984529/207984533
“Sabal lougheediana (Arecaceae), A Critically Endangered, Endemic Palm Species from Bonaire.” M. Patrick Griffith, Quirijn Coolen, Michelle Barros and Larry R. Noblick. 2019. Phytotaxa. Vol 420 No. 2; 95–101. – https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.420.2.1
“Sabalpalm (Sabal antillensis) recovery over 40 years: lessons for successful palm conservation.” J. de Freitas, J. Camilleri, S. van Eijk, V. Posno, I. Valdes, Q. Coolen, J. van Blerk, M. P. Griffith. 2019. Palms Vol. 63, No. 2, 57-68 – https://palms.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PALMSv63n2p057-068-Griffiths-Sabalpalm.pdf
Stinapa Bonaire – https://stinapabonaire.org

Kapitia Skink Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Kapitia Skink :: Oligosoma salmo

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 027

On today’s show we learn about the Kapitia Skink, a critically endangered reptile native to the west coast of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, roughly 100 miles west of the city of Christchurch.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(22:12) Citations
(23:55) Music
(27:31) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from

“Arboreal behaviour and habitat use in the Nationally Critical Kapitia Skink (Oligosoma salmo)”. Marcel Kerrigan, Sarah Brill, Marleen Baling. Perspectives in Biodiversity, Volume 2, pp 11–20. 2024 – https://doi.org/10.34074/pibdiv.002103
“Biomimetic fracture model of lizard tail autotomy” Navajit S Baban et al. Science Vol. 375, 770-774 (2022) – https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abh1614
IUCN – https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/156730274/156730436
“Habitat use and translocation techniques for the critically endangered Kapitia Skink, Oligosoma salmo” Jade Angel Christiansen. Master of Science Thesis, University of Otago 2023 – https://hdl.handle.net/10523/15198
New Zealand Threat Classification System 2021 Report – https://nztcs.org.nz/assessments/123980
“Origin, diversification, and systematics of the New Zealand skink fauna (Reptilia: Scincidae)” David G. Chapple, Peter A. Ritchie, Charles H. Daughert. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Volume 52, Issue 2, August 2009, Pages 470-487 – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2009.03.021
“Rare skinks return to southern home” New Zealand Department of Conservation Media Release. April 2023 – https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2023-media-releases/rare-skinks-return-to-southern-home/
“Sounds of Science” Podcast, Episode 3 with Lynn Adams, May 2019, from the New Zealand Department of Conservation – https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/podcast/sounds-of-science-archive/
“Lost and Found: Taxonomic revision of the speckled skink (Oligosoma infrapunctatum; Reptilia; Scincidae) species complex from New Zealand reveals a potential cryptic extinction, resurrection of two species, and description of three new species.” Zootaxa. 4623. 441-484. 2019. – http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4623.3.2
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligosoma_salmo

Casey's Larkspur Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Casey's Larkspur :: Delphinium caseyi

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 026

On today’s show we learn about the Casey's Larkspur, a critically endangered perennial herb native to the Kyrenia Mountains in northern Cyprus, an island in the east of the Mediterranean sea.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(19:32) Citations
(21:29) Music
(31:10) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from

"The Biodiversity of Cyprus Island." Lentini, Alessandro. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering B 4, no. 3 (2015): 125-131. http://doi.org/10.17265/2162-5263/2015.03.003
Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute – https://v.cwri.net/about-us
Cypress Buffer Zone (somewhat unrelated). The Guardian 20 Jul 2024. Jim Powell – https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2024/jul/20/where-time-has-stood-still-for-50-years-the-un-buffer-zone-in-cyprus-in-pictures
“Establishment of a Plant Micro-reserve Network in Cyprus for the Conservation of Priority Species and Habitats.“ TOP Biodiversity 2010 – Conference Proceedings. Kadis, Costas & Pantazi, Chrisoula & C.T., Tsintides & Christodoulou, Charalambos & Thanos, Costas & Georghiou, Kyriacos & Kounnamas, Constantinos & C., Constantinou & Andreou, Marios & Eliades, Nicolas-George. (2010). – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258132566_Establishment_of_a_Plant_Micro-reserve_Network_in_Cyprus_for_the_Conservation_of_Priority_Species_and_Habitats
“Important Plant Areas Along The Kyrenia Mountains, Cyprus”. Özge Özden Fuller, Mustafa Kemal Merakli, Salih Gücel. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Ecology & Safety vol 10, 349-359 (2016) – https://www.scientific-publications.net/en/article/1001115/
IUCN – https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/61674/3107003
IUCN Mediterranean Islands Plant Specialist Group – “The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants. Wild Plants At the Brink of Extinction, and What Is Needed to Save Them.” Bertrand de Montmollin, Wendy Strahm (2005) IUCN. ISBN 2 8317 0832 – https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2005-025.pdf
“Landscape transformation of Cyprus from 1970 through 2070” Ridder, Elizabeth. Doctoral Dissertation. Arizona State University. 2013 – https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.18041
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium_caseyi

Dama Gazelle Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

Dama Gazelle :: Nanger dama

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 025

On today’s show we learn about the Dama Gazelle, a critically endangered mammal native to North Africa, specifically Chad, Mali, and Niger.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(28:52) Citations
(30:52) Music
(35:20) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from

Animal Diversity Web at the University of Michigan – https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Nanger_dama/
"Evolution of horn shape and sex dimorphism in subspecies of the Dama Gazelle”. Schreiber, Arnd. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy Vol. 33 No. 2 (2022): 173-186. – https://doi.org/10.4404/hystrix-00561-2022
“Exploring the vomeronasal organ in an endangered antelope species”. Mateo V. Torres, Irene Ortiz-Leal, Andrea Ferreiro, José Luis Rois, Pablo Sanchez-Quinteiro. bioRxiv (bio-archive March 2023) 2023.03.09.531847 – https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.03.09.531847
“Hormonal characterization of the reproductive cycle and pregnancy in the female Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr)”. Pickard, A. R., Abáigar, T., Green, D. I., Holt, W. V., & Cano, M. Reproduction vol. 122 no. 4, 571–580. – https://doi.org/10.1530/rep.0.1220571
IUCN – https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T8968A50186128.en
The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates. Estes, Richard D. United States: Chelsea Green Publishing, 1999. – https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Safari_Companion/Xqp7poFviNcC
The Mammals of Africa. Vol. 6. Pigs, Hippopotamuses, Chevrotain, Giraffes, Deer and Bovids. Scholte, Paul. Nanger dama Dama Gazelle. pp.382-387. Bloomsbury Publishing 2013 – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262684087_Nanger_dama_Dama_Gazelle
"Pheromone Sensing in Mammals: A Review of the Vomeronasal System". Torres, Mateo V., Irene Ortiz-Leal, and Pablo Sanchez-Quinteiro. ANA-TOMI-UH Anatomia Vol 2, no. 4: 346-413. 2023 – https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia2040031
Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute – https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/dama-gazelle
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dama_gazelle

Graceful Spiderhead Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Graceful Spiderhead :: Serruria pinnata

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 024

On today’s show we learn about the Graceful Spiderhead, a critically endangered flowering shrub native to the southern tip of the African continent, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(16:55) Citations
(18:08) Music
(26:22) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from

Protea Atlas – https://www.proteaatlas.org.za/spider3.htm
Flora Capensis, Vol 5, page 502 – https://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.flora.floc012825
“Ant benefits in a seed dispersal mutualism” Oecologia vol 146 no. 1 – https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-005-0154-9
South African National Biodiversity institute – https://pza.sanbi.org/vegetation/fynbos-biome
IUCN – https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/113238699/185533437
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serruria_gracilis

Bahama Nuthatch Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Bahama Nuthatch :: Sitta insularis

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 023

On today’s show we learn about the Bahama Nuthatch, a critically endangered avian native to the island of Grand Bahama in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 60 miles east of the North American mainland off the southern Florida coast.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(24:36) Citations
(27:21) Music
(34:49) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from

“Abundance and distribution of breeding birds in the pine forests of Grand Bahama, Bahamas” Journal of Caribbean Ornithology; Vol. 24 No. 1 – https://jco.birdscaribbean.org/index.php/jco/article/view/107
Bahamas National Trust – https://bnt.bs/explore/grand-bahama/lucayan-national-park/
Birds of the World from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology – https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bnhnut2.01
“Further vocal evidence for treating the Bahama Nuthatch Sitta (pusilla) insularis as a species. ” Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club; Vol. 140, No. 4 – https://doi.org/10.25226/bboc.v140i4.2020.a4
IUCN – https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103881687/181353443
“Land Bird Communities of Grand Bahama Island.” Ornithological Monographs No. 24 – https://doi.org/10.2307/40166704
“Nuthatches vary their alarm calls based upon the source of the eavesdropped signals.” Nature Communication Vol. 11, No. 526 – https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14414-w
Sound Recording. David Pereira: XC614665 and XC615085, From Xeno-Canto. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/614665 and www.xeno-canto.org/615085
“Variation in responses to interspecific vocalizations among sister taxa of the Sittidae.” Avian Conservation and Ecology Vol. 15. Issue 2. Article 15 – http://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01646-150215
2018 video footage of the Bahama Nuthatch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eiy6yWxeqA
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahama_nuthatch

Koyama's Spruce Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Koyama's Spruce :: Picea koyamae

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 022

On today’s show we learn about the Koyama's Spruce, a critically endangered evergreen conifer native to eastern Asia, specifically central Japan and the Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(19:23) Citations
(21:18) Music
(32:18) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from

BMC Plant Biology vol. 22, issue 530 – https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-022-03909-x
The Gymnosperm Database – https://www.conifers.org/pi/Picea_koyamae.php
International Dendrology Society, May 7, 2017 – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318457183_Bark_its_anatomy_function_and_diversity
IUCN – https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/31290/9616484
Journal of Forest Research Volume 16 - Issue 4 – https://doi.org/10.1007/s10310-010-0227-4
Journal Of The Japanese Forestry Society - Volume 81, Issue 3 – https://doi.org/10.11519/jjfs1953.81.3_236
Scientific Reports vol. 11 issue 1 – https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97747-w
South African Journal of Botany, Volume 150 – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2022.09.018
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picea_koyamae

Vancouver Island Marmot Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Vancouver Island Marmot :: Marmota vancouverensis

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 021

On today’s show we learn about the Vancouver Island Marmot, a critically endangered mammal native to Western North American, specifically to Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(27:02) Citations
(28:58) Music
(34:45) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from

Animal Diversity Web at the University of Michigan – https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Marmota_vancouverensis/
Canadian Field-Naturalist Vol 100, Issue 2 – http://doi.org/10.5962/p.355598
Canadian Journal of Zoology vol 74 issue 4 – http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z96-076
Canadian Journal of Zoology vol 83 issue 5 – http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z05-056
Canadian government’s Species at Risk Assessments and Status Reports – https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessments-status-reports/vancouver-island-marmot-2019.html
Canada’s National Observer’s State of the Animal Special Report – https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/11/23/news/endangered-vancouver-island-marmot-conservation-comeback
IUCN – https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12828/22259184
Mammalian Species, Issue 270 – https://doi.org/10.2307/3503862
The Marmot Recovery Foundation – https://marmots.org
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Island_marmot

Pariette Cactus Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Pariette Cactus :: Sclerocactus brevispinus

Bad at Goodbyes :: Episode 020

On today’s show we learn about the Pariette Cactus, a critically endangered cactus native to Western North America, specifically Utah in the United States.

(00:05) Intro
(02:05) Species Information
(21:07) Citations
(22:42) Music
(29:57) Pledge

Research for today’s show was compiled from