The Common Descent Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 155 - Gymnosperms Dec 24, 2022

Show notes

It’s a great time of year to talk about conifers! Also their cousins: cycads, ginkgos, and others! Gymnosperms don’t get nearly as much love and attention as their flowering counterparts, the inescapable angiosperms, but they nonetheless have their own fascinating history going all the way back to some of the earliest forests on Earth. This episode, we’re joined once again by our favorite paleobotanist Dr. Aly Baumgartner to discuss what makes gymnosperms unique, what has made them so successful for hundreds of millions of years, and how these incredible plants have changed the world.

In the news: fossil-finding robots, super-old DNA, ankylosaur clubs, and snake sex organs.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:45
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:41:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:38:30
Patron question: 02:36:30

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Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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 154 - Live Birth Dec 10, 2022

Show notes

Viviparity is the reproductive style where embryos develop inside a parent’s body instead of inside an egg the parent lays. It’s a very familiar habit to us placental mammals, but it’s also an extremely widespread and diverse feature of life. Seriously, it’s ridiculous just how many times viviparity has evolved and just how many different ways species have found to be viviparous. In this episode we’ll answer such questions as: How and why does viviparity evolve? What features vary from one viviparous group to the next? And how do we identify viviparous animals in the fossil record?

In the news: army ants, oldest lizards, beaver families, and swimming dinosaurs.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:33:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:13:30
Patron question: 01:46:30

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

The 2022 End of the Year Q&A Form is LIVE! Submit your question now!
https://forms.gle/GTgew75GmVxAKejt6

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www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

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Find merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent

Join the Common Descent Discord server! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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 153 - Armadillos Nov 26, 2022

Show notes

Built-in body armor is common among reptiles and rare among mammals, but armadillos are the major exception. Equipped with a full set of segmented armor over their heads, backs, and tails, armadillos have been waddling around well-protected for tens of millions of years, and their ancient relatives include some of the most famous and preposterous of extinct mammals. This episode, we discuss the unique features and fascinating history of armadillos, glyptodonts, and their other ancient cousins.

In the news: roots and extinction, new croc-like reptiles, early cooking, and giant turtles.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:00
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:31:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:05:30
Patron question: 01:39:30

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

The 2022 End of the Year Q&A Form is LIVE! Submit your question now!
https://forms.gle/GTgew75GmVxAKejt6

Follow this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible!
www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

Or make a one-time donation via PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/4c68u4hp

Find merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent

Join the Common Descent Discord server! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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 152 - The Jehol Biota Nov 12, 2022

Show notes

You might have noticed that over the last few decades, a lot of really exciting and famous fossil discoveries have been coming out of China. If you pay close attention, you might even catch that many of them are coming from the same place: the incredible fossil assemblages of the Jehol Biota. We’ve mentioned Jehol fossils many times on the podcast, but in this episode, we focus on the big picture: where do these fossils come from, why are they so incredibly well-preserved, and what are just some of the fascinating research questions we can answer by examining these amazing fossils?

In the news: bird evolution, dinosaur growth patterns, mammal speciation rates, and glowing scallops.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:08:00
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:48:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:15:30
Patron question: 01:51:30

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

The 2022 End of the Year Q&A Form is LIVE! Submit your question now!
https://forms.gle/GTgew75GmVxAKejt6

Follow this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible!
www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

Or make a one-time donation via PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/4c68u4hp

Find merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent

Join the Common Descent Discord server! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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 151 - Tails Oct 29, 2022

Show notes

Look at the various animals on Earth – or rather, look just behind them – and you’ll see a vast variety of tails! Tails and tail-like structures are often simple extensions of the body, and yet they’ve been adapted and modified into many shapes with many functions, and because they’re often so important to an animal’s lifestyle, they can be especially useful for paleontologists trying to understand ancient animals. In this episode, we’ll discuss definitions, diversity, functions, and fossils of tails.

In the news: drought fossils, early fish jaws, early fish fins, and paleontology video games.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:00
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:33:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:18:30
Patron question: 01:53:30

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

Follow this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible!
www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

Or make a one-time donation via PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/4c68u4hp

Find merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent

Join the Common Descent Discord server! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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 - Mimics Oct 29, 2022

Show notes

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.

October is here, and that means it’s time for Spook-E! Each episode throughout this month, we’re choosing a monster and discussing how it – or something like it – might evolve under the rules of evolution and natural selection, pulling inspiration from organisms of the real world. This year’s theme: monsters of Dungeons and Dragons.

This episode, we delve into a paranoia-inducing scourge of dungeons. What hypothetical natural scenario might cultivate a shape-shifting ambush hunter that disguises itself as inanimate objects? Our creatures to create this time: Mimics.

Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

And share your Spook-E musings on social media with the hashtag #SpookE

Check out our blog for podcast info, fan art, and more!
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

Or make a one-time donation via PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/4c68u4hp
Find merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Subscribe for a free 30-day trial at Audible! www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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

Spook-E - Beholders Oct 22, 2022

Show notes

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.

This episode, we gaze upon something truly alien. Can we formulate an evolutionary path to produce a malicious floating orb creature that stares at the world through many eyes? Our creatures to create this time: Beholders.

Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

And share your Spook-E musings on social media with the hashtag #SpookE

Check out our blog for podcast info, fan art, and more!
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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

Episode 150 - Stegosaurs Oct 15, 2022

Show notes

Stegosaurus is one of the all-time most famous and recognizable dinosaurs, but it wasn’t alone! Its whole extended family, the stegosaurs, were medium- to large-sized herbivorous dinosaurs sporting an array of plates and spikes. This episode, we discuss the diversity and deep history of stegosaurs, what we know of their lifestyles, and of course the big questions: just what were they doing with that ridiculous armor?

In the news: Moon impacts, bird brains, Jurassic vomit, and super-old algae.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:31:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 00:58:30
Patron question: 01:48:00

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

Follow this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible!
www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent
Check out Riley Black’s newest book: The Last Days of the Dinosaurs

Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

Or make a one-time donation via PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/4c68u4hp

Find merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent

Join the Common Descent Discord server! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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 - Displacer Beasts Oct 15, 2022

Show notes

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.

This episode, we roll out a monster that’s tough to get grasp on. From where on the tree of life might we develop a many-limbed predator with a knack for fooling the eye? Our creatures to create this time: Displacer beasts.

Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

And share your Spook-E musings on social media with the hashtag #SpookE

Check out our blog for podcast info, fan art, and more!
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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

Spook-E - Owlbears Oct 08, 2022

Show notes

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.

This episode, we play with a classic chimera. How might nature select for a beast that combines the fierce features of a bear and a bird of prey? Our creatures to create this time: Owlbears.

Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev

And share your Spook-E musings on social media with the hashtag #SpookE

Check out our blog for podcast info, fan art, and more!
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

You can email us at commondescentpodcast(at)gmail.com
Or send us physical mail at:
The Common Descent Podcast
1735 W State of Franklin Rd. Ste 5 #165
Johnson City, TN 37604

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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