The Common Descent Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 37.5 - More Birds Jun 24, 2018

Show notes

Surprise!

We've gotten a lot of bird requests, so to follow up our Evolution of Birds discussion, we put together three mini-discussions based on other birds our listeners have asked to hear about:
1. The evolution and fossil history of flamingos.
2. The fossil record of the famous predatory "terror birds."
3. Argentavis and Pelagornis, history's largest flying birds.

Time markers:
Intro: 00:00:00
Flamingos: 00:02:30
Terror birds: 00:23:30
Giant flying birds: 00:46:30

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/

Silver Screen Science - Jurassic World (4/5) Jun 23, 2018

Show notes

Part 4 of 5!

Our Jurassic Park review series is almost done! All month, we’ve been re-watching the movies and chatting about the science in a series of “science reviews.” How do these movies handle such subjects as prehistoric creatures, the science of paleontology, and the portrayal of scientists?

In this episode, the complex – and controversial – franchise revival: Jurassic World (2015).

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

Episode 37 - Evolution of Birds Jun 17, 2018

Show notes

Birds are such unique and fascinating animals; for many decades scientists have wondered at their evolutionary story – and so have many of our listeners! Well here it is: the Evolution of Birds, complete with some scientific history, key fossil finds, and a fly-by (yep) of the incredible diversity of critters that led to birds as we know them today

In the news: history of the Great Barrier Reef, giant bony fish, early African tetrapods, and the oldest lizards.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:03:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:31:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 00:56:30

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

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/

Silver Screen Science - Jurassic Park III (3/5) Jun 16, 2018

Show notes

Part 3 of 5!

Every Saturday this month, we’re re-watching all of the Jurassic Park movies and chatting about the science in a series of “science reviews.” How do these movies handle such subjects as prehistoric creatures, the science of paleontology, and the portrayal of scientists?

This time, the last of the original trilogy: Jurassic Park III (2001).

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

Silver Screen Science - The Lost World: Jurassic Park (2/5) Jun 09, 2018

Show notes

Part 2 of 5!

Each Saturday in June, we’re re-watching all of the Jurassic Park movies and chatting about the science in a series of “science reviews.” How do these films handle such subjects as prehistoric creatures, the science of paleontology, and the portrayal of scientists?

Sequel time. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).

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

Episode 36 - Reefs Jun 03, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, we’re examining the incredible formation of reefs! Not just coral – reef systems have been built by many different organisms over Earth history, and we’ll be touching on the details of these essential harbors of biodiversity: past, present, and prospects for the future.

In the news: bone-crushing dogs, ancient global warming, a tick in a web, and how birds bounced back.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:35:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:11:30
Patron question: 01:46:30

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

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/

Silver Screen Science - Jurassic Park (1/5) Jun 01, 2018

Show notes

Part 1 of 5!

By the end of June, there will be five Jurassic Park films! So for each of the five Saturdays this month, we’re re-watching all of the movies and chatting about the science in a series of “science reviews.” How do these movies handle such subjects as prehistoric creatures, the science of paleontology, and the portrayal of scientists?

This episode, we start at the beginning: Jurassic Park (1993).

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

Episode 35 - De-extinction May 20, 2018

Show notes

It's time for another extinction episode!

Is extinction truly forever? Could something like Jurassic Park actually be possible? If so, should we do it? As we speak, there are scientists around the world working on the early stages of answering these questions, and in the process developing the very real science of De-extinction.

In the news: sea-going crocs, giant sea snakes, early baleen whales, and super-ancient viruses.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:07:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:39:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:08:00

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

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 34 - Ancient DNA May 06, 2018

Show notes

Only a few decades ago, the idea of pulling DNA from long-dead organisms was the stuff of science fiction, but the field of ancient DNA is now totally real and thriving. In this episode, we discuss how we get DNA from ancient specimens and just a bit of the incredible world of information paleogenetics opens up for scientists.

In the news: Another ancient croc-cousin, human and sloth footprints, swimming human evolution, and the oldest wolverine!

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:31:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 00:56:30

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

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/

Crocs vs Snakes - The Poll Returns May 01, 2018

Show notes

THE GREAT DEBATEIS BACK!

By popular demand!

Will and David agree on most things, but not this... Help us settle our long-running debate - choose a side!

Head to Twitter, Facebook, or Patreon and cast your vote!

And then, if you like, tell us what you really think...what's YOUR favorite group of animals?

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