The Common Descent Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 16 - Cephalopods Aug 27, 2017

Show notes

This episode, by request, we’re talking about one of our favorite groups of invertebrates! Specifically, invertebrates with big brains and squiggly arms - some with beautiful shells and others with incredible camouflage - and a fantastically rich fossil record stretching back over 500 million years: the cephalopods.

In the news: a giant gets a name; a confusing early dinosaur; some really old ice; and a rockstar croc.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:02:00
Main discussion: 00:30:00

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

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

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

Episode 15 - The End-Triassic Extinction Aug 13, 2017

Show notes

This episode, we’re talking mass extinction again! Last time, we touched on the event that ended the Age of Dinosaurs, but this time – by listener request! – we’re discussing the event that started it: patterns and potential causes of the end-Triassic mass extinction.

In the news: a colorful armored giant; a surprise apex predator; epigenetics and variation; and some fast-evolving big-headed geckos!

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:00
Main discussion: 00:35:00

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

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

Episode 14 - The Gray Fossil Site Jul 29, 2017

Show notes

This episode, we finally take the time to talk in detail about the dig site we mention more than any other, the site where we both spent many years: the Gray Fossil Site! We discuss the site’s discovery, ongoing work, ancient ecosystem, and some of our own experiences.

In the news: the speed of T. rex, warm-blooded evolution, dinosaur sails, and the earliest Australians.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:30
Main discussion: 00:31:00

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

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

...But We Digress - The History of Earth Jul 19, 2017

Show notes

And now for something completely different!

Just how deep is Deep Time? Exactly how are important events arranged throughout our planet’s history? Which events are recent and which are ancient?

In this special episode, we take a tour through Earth History, from beginning to end, one million years per second: a virtual trip through geologic time!

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
Tour Through Time: 00:04:30

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

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

Episode 13 - The Fossil Preparation Lab Jul 16, 2017

Show notes

The episode comes to you from inside the fossil prep lab, where we explore what goes into cleaning, repairing, and generally making fossils ready for study. We are joined by our friend Shawn Haugrud, as well as two of his lab’s head preparators: Shayleigh Maden and Davis Gunnin!

In the news: swimming strategies of plesiosaurs, surprise marine mass extinction, a bone-crushing Jurassic croc, and the temperature of dinosaur eggs.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:00
Main discussion: 00:32:30

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

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

Episode 12 - The Geologic Time Scale Jul 01, 2017

Show notes

This episode is about the history of the earth, and how we compile all that we know about the ancient past in the great Geologic Time Scale.

In the news: the shapes of bird eggs, very ancient amphibians, more dinosaur faces, and the history of hippos.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:03:00
Main discussion: 00:32:00
Patron announcements & question: 01:32:00

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

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

Episode 11 - Antarctica Jun 17, 2017

Show notes

This episode is another listener-requested topic! We’re discussing the fascinating and mysterious continent of Antarctica, its long complex history, and the rare and intriguing fossils that are found there.

In the news: a baby bird in amber, ancient elephant genetics, surprisingly early humans, and the formation of a famous dinosaur site.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:02:30
Main discussion: 00:33:00

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

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

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

...But We Digress - Tyrannosaur Skin (and Feathers?) Jun 09, 2017

Show notes

We’re back for another digression!

Another new study is making (ridiculous) headlines all across the internet! It’s the first published investigation of Tyrannosaurus scales, by Bell et al., and it has people asking: where are the feathers?

You can access the study itself here: http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/13/6/20170092

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

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

Episode 10 - The Tree of Life Jun 03, 2017

Show notes

This episode, we’re taking the time to talk about a subject that comes up just about every episode: the classification and relationships of living organisms. Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and the Tree of Life!

In the news: giant ground sloth diets, how whales got huge, the crunching jaws of T. rex, and the evolution of soldier bees!

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:30
Main discussion: 00:28:00
Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast
The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 9 - The Cambrian Explosion May 21, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, we’re discussing the dramatic event that saw the rise of modern animal life and formed the foundation for all animal ecosystems – an event as fascinating as it is mysterious – the Cambrian Explosion!

In the news: brand new armored dinosaurs, a long-lost dino-baby, surprises from the human family tree, and snake fossils from our favorite fossil site!

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:00
Main discussion: 00:37:30

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

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

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