The first pterosaur to be scientifically identified was Pterodactylus, more than 200 years ago. Since then, scientists have grappled with understanding these bizarre and fantastic animals, aided by inspired science and incredible discoveries. In this episode, we’ll discuss what we know – and what we don’t know – about how these animals evolved, survived, and ruled the skies in the Age of Reptiles.
In the news: cassowary evolution, the oldest scorpions, sea floor taphonomy, and Neanderthal shells.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:08:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:38:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:22:00
Patron question: 02:10:00
We’ve donated our December 2019 Patreon earnings to WIRES to help with wildlife recovery in Australia. Learn more here: https://www.wires.org.au/
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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.
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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Episode 191 - Language
Spotlight 2024 - Dylan Wilmeth, Bedrock
Episode 190 - Cicadas
Silver Screen Science - Jaws
Silver Screen Science - Deep Blue Sea
Episode 189 - Dromaeosaurs
Silver Screen Science - Meg 2: The Trench
Spotlight 2024 - James, Amanda, and Curtis, Palaeo After Dark
Episode 188 - Cannibalism
Episode 187 - Migration
Spotlight 2024 - Adele Pentland, Pals in Palaeo
Episode 186 - Owls
Episode 185 - Cacti
Episode 184 - Richard Owen
Episode 183 - Feathers
Episode 182 - Camouflage
End of the Year Q&A 2023
Episode 181 - Dragonflies
Episode 180 - Filter Feeding
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