The Common Descent Podcast
Join David and Will as they explore the paleontologists’ perspective on various topics in life and earth history. Each episode features a main discussion on a topic requested by the listeners, presented as a lighthearted and educational conversation about fossils, evolution, deep time, and more. Before the main discussion, each episode also includes a news segment, covering recent research related to paleontology and evolution. Each episode ends with the answer to a question submitted by subscribers on Patreon. New episodes with new topics every fortnight.
Episodes
Episode 250 - Camels
Large, herbivorous mammals come in many shapes and sizes, but few are as famously unusual as camels. This episode, we explore the surprising adaptations of Old World and New World camelids, from the dromedaries of Middle Eastern deserts to the llamas of the Andean highlands. Then, we take a tour through their fossil record to investigate the many forms this family took on the way to our modern div
Episode 249 - Sexual Dimorphism
In most animal species, there are differences in the anatomy, behavior, and lifestyle of male and female individuals. In this episode, we explore the incredible variety of these differences and the equally incredible blurry areas between the sexes, we investigate the evolutionary processes behind these features, and we examine the constant and confounding discussion about whether or not we can spo
Episode 248 - Big Cats
Felines come in all shapes and sizes, but only a handful of them are large enough and in charge enough to have earned the title of “Big Cats.” This episode, we’re joined by special guest Lindsay Nikole as we take a tour through the surprising diversity of the “official” and “unofficial” big cats, and we explore how their evolutionary past has shaped this impressive assortment of apex predators.
Fi
Snake Stuff with Ali Ashraf
Happy Snake Month!
In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Ali Ashraf to talk about his research on the distribution and evolution of water snakes!
This month only! Join the Snakes & Crocs Tier on our Patreon to receive a Snake Month sticker and to contribute to charitable donations toward reptile and other wildlife conservation!
www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
This
Episode 247 – Vipers
Happy Snake Month!
Some of the most fascinating, famous, and dangerous snakes on the planet belong to the family Viperidae. Vipers include some of the world’s most specialized ambush hunters, and they are one of the most diverse and successful groups of snakes. This episode, we take a tour through the many visages of vipers, we explore their unique adaptations from head to tail, and we investigate
Episode 246 - Gharials
Happy Croc Month!
Most living crocodilian species look pretty similar overall – that’s why there are so many tips for telling alligators from crocodiles – but one group really stands out with their bulging eyes and remarkably slender snouts. This episode, we explore the various features and habits that make gharials unique among crocs, and which have caused no end of confusion for scientists tryin
Croc Chat with Maddie Turala
Happy Croc Month!
In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Maddie Turala to talk about her research on estimating body size in fossil alligators!
This month only! Join the Crocs & Snakes Tier on our Patreon to receive a Croc Month sticker and to contribute to charitable donations toward reptile and other wildlife conservation!
www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
This year
Episode 245 - Cycads
Cycads are cousins of conifers, and although they can be found throughout the modern tropics, they are often considered a visual indicator of prehistory. This episode, Aly joins us to explore what sets cycads apart from other plants, what we know of their deep history, and whether they truly deserve their reputation as dinosaur food.
In the news: toothless crocs, Arctic mammals, turtle relations,
Episode 244 - Sea Turtles
Most modern turtles are pretty good in the water, but only some are truly ocean-dwellers. This episode, we explore the unique and diverse lifestyles and anatomy of modern sea turtles, then we take a tour of turtles through time, visiting the surprising number of ancient lineages that have taken to the seas and the surprising forms some of them have taken.
In the news: twisted jaws, early centipede
Episode 243 - Burrowers
A lot of life on Earth happens underground. This episode, we sample the species that have taken to a life of digging in the dirt – and elsewhere – why they do it and what physical adaptations help them along the way. Then, we’ll take a tour of burrows in the fossil record and explore what clues paleontologists can use to determine which ancient critter constructed a given burrow.
In the news: mala
Leaf it to Us Season 2 Trailer
Leaf it to Us Season 2 is coming! Episode 1 drops on May 7th!
You can find Leaf it to Us on any podcast platform!
Consider supporting Leaf it to Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leafittouspod
And connect with the community in these places: https://linktr.ee/leafittouspod
The Leaf it to Us theme song is “Late Bloomer” by Devours. Find more from Devours at https://devours.bandcamp.com/
Silver Screen Science - The Valley of Gwangi (1969)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs!
This episode, we’re wrapping things up with a tale of cowboys and dinosaurs in The Valley of Gwangi!
Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast an
Episode 242 - Fire
Earth is a very flammable world. The combination of heat, oxygen, and burnable plants makes fire a constant feature of our planet. Many modern ecosystems thrive in the presence of fire, and lots of plant and animal species have adapted to avoid or take advantage of the flames. This episode, we explore the diverse topic of fire ecology, and we take a tour through the deep history of fire on Earth.
Silver Screen Science - One Million Years B.C. (1966)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs!
This episode, we visit a classic of mid-century caveman-versus-dinosaur cinema, with One Million Years B.C.
Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the pod
Silver Screen Science - Dinosaur Shorts (Gertie, Slumber Mountain, Fantasia)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs!
This episode, we compile and compare a handful of dino-themed short films from the early days of dinosaur movies: Gertie the Dinosaur, The Ghost of Slumber Mountain, and the Rite of Spring segment from Disney’s Fantasia.
Chec
Episode 241 - Digestion
The world is full of food, but in order to make the most of it, living organisms need to be able to break it down and extract the useful nutrients. This episode, we explore the fundamental process of digestion and the many, many ways that life has adapted this process to various diets. And we’ll take a look at what the fossil record has to tell us about ancient diets and the evolutionary history o
Silver Screen Science - The Lost World (1925)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs!
This episode, we start things off with the great grand-daddy of dinosaur movies: The Lost World (1925).
Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast
Episode 240 - Terror Birds
For most of the Cenozoic Era, South America was home to an incredible group of predatory birds called phorusrhacids, which included some of the largest carnivorous birds of all time. With their giant axe-like beaks and powerful clawed legs, these giants have gained the nickname “terror birds.” This episode, we explore what makes these birds unique, how they varied across their diversity, and what
Episode 239 - Nocturnality
Creatures of the night! The world is a different place in the dark, and a whole array of organisms have adapted to being most active outside of daytime hours. This episode, we’ll explore the regular traits that allow nocturnal animals to get by, we’ll discuss some of the ways nocturnal evolution has shaped living species, and we’ll investigate which – if any – of these traits we can identify in th
Pok-É – Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza
Welcome ... to Pok-É!
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history!
This episode, we take on the super-ancient Pokémon of Hoenn. How could natural selection result in masters of th
Patron Mini-Episode Compilation #7
One of the benefits our Patrons can receive is a personalized mini-episode on an animal of their choice! Every now and then, we throw them together into a compilation for all to enjoy!
As always, an enormous thanks to all of our wonderful Patrons!
Time markers:
Basal Ornithopods for Aaron: 00:02:00
Orangutans for Justin: 00:22:30
Tardigrades for Jeff: 00:54:25
Trilobites for Timpaxew: 01:16:55
Ra
Episode 238 - Osteoderms (Skin Bones)
Some bones are only skin deep! In many species of reptiles, mammals, and amphibians, bones called osteoderms develop within the skin, serving as body armor, additional muscular support, display features, or any number of other functions. This episode, we explore the extraordinary diversity of osteoderm anatomy, we take a tour through the many and varied osteoderms of Earth history, and we investig
Pok-É – Koraidon and Miraidon
Welcome ... to Pok-É!
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history!
This episode, we take a tour of the Paradox Pokémon. Where on the tree of life could we find a pair of dragons b
Pok-É – Zygarde
Welcome ... to Pok-É!
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history!
This episode, we grapple with the Order Pokémon. What biological explanations can we find for an ecological guar
Episode 237 - The Dinosaur Renaissance
In the mid-to-late 20th Century, dinosaurs received a major makeover in their scientific and popular image. This episode, Riley Black takes us through the timeline of the Dinosaur Renaissance. We discuss some of the big scientific milestones and the various players which brought dinosaurs into their modern era, and we’ll explore the early signs and lingering notes of this historic shift.
In the ne
Pok-É – Giratina
Welcome ... to Pok-É!
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history!
This episode, we confront the Renegade Pokémon. From what ancestors might we get a many-limbed monster from a pa
Pok-É – Lugia
Welcome ... to Pok-É!
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history!
This episode, we set our sights on the Diving Pokémon. How might evolution produce a sea-dwelling bird with a kn
Episode 236 - Chalicotheres
The Cenozoic Era was home to many unusual ancient mammals, but few so strange as the “gorilla-horses,” the ungulates that swapped their hooves for claws, chalicotheres. This episode, we discuss the features that make these animals distinct and which confused paleontologists for decades, and we go over what is known – and still unknown – about their evolution and lifestyles.
In the news: Let’s Bota
Episode 235 - Aquatic Plants
All plants need water, but some take it to the extreme. This episode, Dr. Aly Baumgartner joins us to explore the many life strategies of plants that live in the water. We’ll discuss the adaptations that allow them to lead an aquatic lifestyle, their evolutionary history as seen through genes and fossils, and the benefits that keep leading plants back to water.
In the news: fish diversity, ammonit
Episode 234 - Snails and Slugs
From deep-sea trenches to your home garden, gastropods (snails and slugs) are among the most diverse and successful groups of animal life in Earth history. This episode, we’ll explore what makes these animals distinctive, we’ll touch on their extraordinary fossil record, and we’ll investigate the many evolutionary experiments gastropods have undergone in their anatomy and lifestyle.
In the news: s
End of the Year Q&A 2025
Happy New Year!
Please enjoy our annual question-answering marathon, now longer than ever! Thank you so much to everyone who listens, shares, and supports the podcast.
Check out our website blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit
Episode 233 - Flies and Mosquitoes
Of all the highly successful and capable flying insects in the world, few are as successful or capable as those in the order Diptera. This episode, we’re joined by special guest Brandon Strauss to discuss the distinctive anatomy and varied habits of flies, mosquitoes, and their many two-winged relatives. Then, we’ll peer into the past for a glimpse at the fossil record and dynamic evolutionary his
Episode 232 - Vertebrate Origins
Today, bony animals are some of the most diverse organisms on Earth, but it wasn’t always that way. This episode, we explore what features distinguish vertebrates from their closest relatives, and we dive into the abundant evidence from genetics, embryology, and the fossil record that gives us a glimpse at how our distant ancestors came to be.
In the news: swimming hands, early life, Dunkleosteus
Episode 231 - Back to the Water (Secondarily Aquatic Vertebrates)
Nearly 400 million years ago, an unusual group of fish gave rise to the first land-dwelling vertebrates. Since then, their descendants have repeatedly moved back into the water. This episode, we explore the many ways these species adapt to the challenges of turning a terrestrial body into one that can survive at sea, and we investigate some of the most famous and confusing cases from the fossil re
Episode 230 - Pachycephalosaurs
The dome-headed dinosaurs are some of the most iconic ancient reptiles, but they’re surprisingly unexplored compared to other dinos. This episode, we explore what makes these dinosaurs unique, what limits our understanding of them, and the many confounding mysteries that paleontologists have been scratching their heads over, including the question of what exactly they were doing with those thick h
Silver Screen Science - Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)
In this special guest episode of Silver Screen Science, we're joined by Sabrina and Garret of I Know Dino to discuss the science and scientists of the newest installment in the Jurassic franchise: Jurassic World: Rebirth!
Find more Common Descent:
http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join Common Descent and I Know Dino on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content:
https://www.patreon.com/
Cute-E – Pikmin
Welcome … to Cute-E!
During our Spook-E series, we speculate on the evolution of monsters from myth and popular media, but we leave out fiction’s more adorable creatures. In Cute-E, we choose cuddlier critters and discuss how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo
Episode 229 - Myrmecophagy (Ant-Eating)
Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to mess with ants. But several lineages of animals have evolved to be ant-eating specialists. This episode, we discuss anteaters, the suite of adaptations that allow them to focus on ant-eating, and the variety of other species that have evolved similar adaptations for the same purpose. We explore the evolutionary history of ant-eating mammals and even dino
Spook-E – Metroids
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo!
This episode, we take the hunt across the stars. What biological explanation can w
Spook-E – Kremlings
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo!
This time, we’re sailing with the scourges of DK Isle. What circumstances might le
Episode 228 - Dinosaur Provincial Park
Located in southeastern Alberta is a stretch of gorgeous badlands that are home to some of the world’s absolute best Late Cretaceous fossils. This episode, we explore how Dinosaur Provincial Park earned its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we list off some of the famous dinosaurs who once lived there, and we discuss a fraction of the many fossil discoveries that have been made at the P
Spook-E – Octoroks
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo!
This episode, we take a trip to the Kingdom of Hyrule. How might nature develop an
Spook-E – Piranha Plants
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo!
This episode, we begin with a baddie from the Mushroom Kingdom. What evolutionary
Episode 227 - Beaks
The faces of vertebrate animals are often soft and full of teeth, but there is a common alternative. Birds, turtles, and many more groups have developed toothless snouts covered in a tough sheath. This episode, we’ll explore the defining features of beaks and their various functions. And we’ll take a tour through animal life past and present to investigate the reasons behind the repeated evolution
Episode 226 - Dodos
Dodos are probably the single most famous case of recent human-induced extinction. First documented in the late 1500s and extinct within a century, dodos have become a global reminder of the devastating potential of human activity. This episode, we review the brief history of human interactions with dodos, and we explore what recent research and fossil evidence has taught us about these birds and
Episode 225 - Forests
Forests are among the most widespread and diverse biomes on our planet. This episode, we’re joined by our favorite paleobotanist, Dr. Aly Baumgartner, to explore what defines a forest, how these habitats function, and how they differ around the globe. Then, we’ll take a trip into the past to discuss how paleontologists study ancient forests and how these biomes have changed over hundreds of millio
Episode 224 - Bipedalism
Most vertebrate animals on land get around on all fours, but some of us have committed to two-legged locomotion. This episode, we explore the various ways animals have evolved bipedalism and the many benefits that come with it. We’ll also take a look at how we identify bipedal animals in the fossil record, and we’ll zoom in on the evolutionary story behind Earth history’s most successful bipeds.
I
Episode 223 - Mutations
Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. As our cells constantly divide and reproduce and replicate our DNA, errors and inconsistencies develop, leading to the incredible variation of life that drives evolutionary change. This episode, we explore the genetic mechanisms behind mutation and we discuss how scientists study mutations to understand the evolutionary history of life on Earth.
In the new
Episode 222 - Shrews
On the outside, shrews might seem like standard tiny mammals, but their anatomy and lifestyle are highly specialized. This episode, with help from special guest Derek den Ouden, we explore the diverse habits of shrews, the anatomical features that set them apart, and how they thrive worldwide despite being perpetually on the brink of starvation. Then, we consider the extinct diversity of shrews in
Episode 221 - Legless Lizards
Lizards are extremely good at becoming snake-shaped. A long body with small or absent limbs is a shape that has evolved dozens of times across nearly every major lineage of lizards. This episode, we explore the diversity of leglessness in lizards, we discuss which groups have done it and which groups have done it best, and we examine what’s known about the repeated evolution of this unexpected bod
Episode 220 - Terrestrial Crocs
Today’s crocs are iconic semi-aquatic predators, but their extended family tree features lots of land-dwelling cousins. This episode, we take a tour through croc evolutionary history and explore the many times these reptiles have taken to life on dry land. We’ll examine what features these terrestrial crocs shared, which ones they didn’t, and what their fossils tell us about how the shape of crocs
Episode 219 - Beringia
For over 100 million years, North America and Asia have been connected over the Pacific Ocean through a region called Beringia. The comings and going of plants and animals across this connection have shaped ecosystems of the past and present. This episode, we explore the geologic history of the region and which ancient species have managed to live in and move through Beringia.
In the news: early s
Episode 218 - Lungs
Take a deep breath and appreciate for a moment the organs that let you do it so efficiently. Lungs are an invaluable tool for life out of the water, and are therefore a favorite topic for paleontologists interested in early animals on land. This episode, we explore the diversity of modern lungs and the few but fascinating insights we have into the lungs of ancient animals, from dinosaurs to the fi
Episode 217 - Bears
Bears are among the most charismatic and impressive mammals. They have large bodies, very flexible lifestyles, and an extensive fossil record that includes some of the best-preserved and largest fossil mammals of all time. This episode, we explore what makes bears so distinctive and successful, and how their diversity has changed over time.
In the news: ancient alligators, rattlesnake venom, late
Episode 216 - Plankton
Just about every body of water on Earth, from oceans to puddles, is home to an ecosystem of tiny drifting organisms. This episode, we discuss what sorts of organisms we might expect to find in a swarm of plankton, we’ll explore how plankton is so fundamental to biological and geological systems on Earth, and we’ll take some time to lay out some of the many ways that ancient plankton are a crucial
Silver Screen Science - Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore how science is portrayed on the big screen. This year, we’re focused on one recurring franchise: Planet of the Apes!
Finally, we visit the ongoing prequel franchise with the story of how it all got started: Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to suppor
Episode 215 - Ferns
With several thousand living species, ferns are the second most diverse vascular plants around today, after angiosperms. Ferns are also abundant and well-known in the fossil record. This episode, Aly joins us to explore the dizzying variety of ferns and their ferny-friends, past and present.
In the news: When the Earth Was Green, weird wasps, and ancient claws. And also dire wolves.
Time markers:
Silver Screen Science - Planet of the Apes (2001)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore how science is portrayed on the big screen. This year, we’re focused on one recurring franchise: Planet of the Apes!
It’s the reboot of the original, a 21st-Century take on the concept – Planet of the Apes (2001).
Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy b
Silver Screen Science - Planet of the Apes (1968)
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore how science is portrayed on the big screen. This year, we’re focused on one recurring franchise: Planet of the Apes!
This episode, we begin where it began, with the original movie about a world where simian society is turned upside-down – Planet of the Apes (1968).
Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
J
Episode 214 - Saber Teeth
Evolution just loves a nice pair of oversized canines, especially on mammalian predators. Saber-toothed animals have shown up over and over again – we even have some today – but despite their similarities, not all of these toothy species were using their canines the same way. This episode, we explore the various shapes of functions of saber teeth and the disparate lineages that have sported them.
Patron Mini-Episode Compilation #6
Our high-level Patreon supporters get to request a topic for their very own mini-episode! For the sixth time, we’ve put the latest bunch together for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you as always to our incredible Patrons of all levels for keeping the podcast going!
Intro: 00:00:00
Ambulocetus for Ambulocetus – 00:01:45
Abelisaurs for Quinn – 00:18:30
Capybaras for Melissa – 00:41:22
Pelicans for Johnath
Episode 213 - Decomposers
Leave a carcass or a log or a pile of poop out in the wild long enough and it will break down into its component parts. Decomposers are an often-overlooked but essential component of ecosystems past and present. This episode, we explore the varied processes of decomposition and how scientists study decomposers and use that information. We’ll also discuss the importance of decomposition to the foss
Leaf it to Us - Before We Leaf
After you’ve listened to the Leaf it to Us pilot episode, enjoy this follow-up discussion where Nora, Aly, and David share their thoughts about that first episode and the upcoming season of the new podcast.
You can contact us – and find more from Common Descent – here: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “Late Bloomer” by Devours. Find more from Devours at http://devours.
Leaf it to Us - Pilot Episode
Enjoy this special preview of the upcoming podcast Leaf it to Us, hosted by Nora Spurling and Dr. Aly Baumgartner. In this pilot episode, they discuss the fascinating phenomenon of sex-changing trees!
The first season of Leaf it to Us is in the works, and we’re excited to hear your feedback for this pilot episode. Please reach out to us and let us know what you think!
You can contact us and find m
Episode 212 - Temnospondyls
When vertebrates first moved onto land, they gave rise to a variety of amphibious tetrapods. The most diverse and successful of these were temnospondyls, which were some of the most important species in early land and freshwater environments. This episode, we’ll explore temnospondyls’ evolutionary history, their ecological variety, and their mysterious connection to modern amphibians.
In the news:
Episode 211 - Edward Drinker Cope
E. D. Cope is one of the most recognizable and notorious names in paleontology history. He did some of the most important early work in vertebrate paleontology, he was one half of the dueling duo in the infamous Bone Wars, he named some of the most famous fossil animals, and he was profoundly irresponsible and unethical with his science. This episode, we’re joined by Astrid Lundberg to explore the
Episode 210 - Bones
The evolution of mineralized tissues is responsible not only for the incredible success and diversity of vertebrate animals, but also for their extraordinarily informative fossil record. This episode, we explore the detailed anatomy of bones and their deep evolutionary history, we touch on some of the ways they’re important for paleontology, and we take some time to discuss the secrets that can be
Episode 209 - Chimaeras
You might know them as ghost sharks, rat fish, or spook fish. Chimaeras are close cousins of sharks and rays, equipped with distinctive and unusual features in their fins, teeth, and reproductive structures. In today’s oceans, chimaeras are rare and easy to miss, but their extended family includes some of the most diverse and iconic fish of the Paleozoic seas. In this episode, we’ll explore the tr
Episode 208 - The Karoo Supergroup
Southern Africa is home to an incredible sequence of geologic formations that span more than 100 million years of Earth history. These rocks, collectively called the Karoo Supergroup, are an extraordinary resource for studying evolution and extinction across the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic Eras. This episode, we’ll explore the deep history of this vast geologic resource, and we’ll sample som
End of the Year Q&A 2024
Happy New Year!
Welcome back to our annual, traditional question-answering marathon!
As always, a big thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this Q&A, everyone who has listened and shared and engaged with us throughout the year, and especially to our Patrons, who make this podcast possible.
See you in 2025!
Check out our website for our blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodca
Episode 207 - Therizinosaurs
Most theropod dinosaurs are sleek predators built for speedy movement and efficient hunting. Therizinosaurs are unusual. They’re slow and stocky and, in many ways, more like the famous plant-eating dinosaurs. This episode, we’ll explore the diversity of therizinosaurs, the winding path that paleontologists took to understand them, the many ways they became specialized for a diet of plants, and wha
Episode 206 - Vestigial Structures
Evolution involves the innovation of new features, but even more reduction of old features. Those reduced features might disappear, develop in a new direction, or just linger as a functionless evidence of deep ancestry. This episode, we explore how we identify vestigial traits, how they help us understand evolutionary history, and the various evolutionary paths vestigial structures can take.
In th
Spotlight 2024 - Kallie, Gabriel, and Blake, Eons
Welcome to Spotlight 2024! In this series, we’re sitting down with our fellow paleo-podcasters to discuss Science Communication.
It’s the final episode! And we’re thrilled to be joined by Kallie, Gabriel, and Blake from PBS Eons and their podcast, Eons: Surviving Deep Time!
Find Eons here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eons-surviving-deep-time/id1610360633
https://www.youtube.com/@eons
Fi
Episode 205 - Parasitic Plants
Not all plants rely on the sun for their energy. Thousands of species are adapted for stealing nutrients from other plants. This episode, Aly joins us to explore the diversity and evolution of parasitic plants, their varied lifestyles, and their impacts on their hosts. We also examine the surprising nature of the parasitic plant fossil record.
In the news: a frozen sabertooth kitten, plesiosaur sw
Episode 204 - The Messinian Salinity Crisis
Around six million years ago, the Mediterranean Sea dried up, wreaking havoc with local marine life and leaving a dramatic legacy in the geologic record in the form of massive salt deposits. This episode, we’ll explore the evidence for this event, why it happened, how it ended, and the impact it left in the fossil record.
In the news: marine crocs, giant cicadas, giant tadpoles, and drowning bats.
Spotlight 2024 - Amy and Meaghan, Weird and Dead
Welcome to Spotlight 2024! In this series, we’re sitting down with our fellow paleo-podcasters to discuss Science Communication.
This time, we’re hanging out with Amy and Meaghan from Weird & Dead!
Find Weird & Dead here:
www.weirdanddead.com
www.patreon.com/WeirdandDeadPodcast
More from Amy and Meaghan:
www.meaghanwetherell.com
www.geopetalfabric.com
https://dinosaurtrips.com/all-wome
Cute-E - Jackalopes
Welcome … to Cute-E!
Every October during Spook-E, we have fun speculatively evolving monsters from myths and stories, but we leave out the cuddlier side of fiction. In Cute-E, we’re choosing kinder creatures and discussing how they – or something like them - could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Tiny Monsters.
Thi
Episode 203 - Rodents
Mice, rats, beavers, and more! Rodents are some of the most diverse and successful mammals on the planet. This episode, we discuss what traits make rodents special, and we explore their incredible living diversity. Then we’ll take a trip to the past to investigate early rodent evolution, some highlights of their fossil record, and some of their ancient competitors.
In the news: Arthropleura’s head
Spook-E - Redcaps
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
October is Spook-E Season on Common Descent! Each episode, we pick monsters from fiction and fable and ponder how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Tiny Monsters.
This episode, there’s trouble afoot. How could biological processes generate o
Spook-E - Salamanders
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
October is Spook-E Season on Common Descent! Each episode, we pick monsters from fiction and fable and ponder how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Tiny Monsters.
This episode, things heat up a bit. What selective pressures might lead to the
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