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
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Episode 110 - Mazon Creek Fossil Beds
Episode 109 - Hyenas
Episode 108 - Penguins
Episode 107 – Tusks
Episode 106 - Franz Nopcsa
Episode 105 - Carnivorous Plants
Episode 104 - Pinnipeds
End of the Year Q&A 2020
Episode 103 – The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Episode 102 - Parasites
Episode 101 - Sauropods
100 Episodes: A Look Back
Episode 100 - the Origin of Life
Episode 99 - Evolution of Insects
Spook-E - the Sirens
Spook-E - the Leviathan
Episode 98 - Species and Speciation
Spook-E - Sea Serpents
Spook-E - the Kraken
Episode 97 - Venom and Poison
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