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Short Wave

Dogs Go Viral For 'Talking' To Humans — But Can They?

Sep 6, 2024
Ari Shapiro, a prominent reporter from All Things Considered, joins to discuss the viral phenomenon of dogs using soundboard buttons to 'speak.' Are our furry friends really grasping the words they press? The conversation also highlights a new species discovered in the harsh ecosystem of Mono Lake, revealing intriguing insights into animal-bacteria relationships. Shapiro touches on the impactful legacy of Waldemir, a beluga whale whose story intertwines conservation and mystery, celebrating both emotion and resilience in the marine world.
09:06

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Recent studies reveal that dogs can comprehend meanings associated with soundboard buttons, indicating advanced communication skills in these pets.
  • The discovery of coannoflagellates in harsh environments showcases unique animal-microbe interactions, offering insights into ecological resilience and evolution.

Deep dives

Discovery in Mono Lake

A new species of coannoflagellates has been discovered in Mono Lake, California, where the environment is extremely harsh due to high salinity and toxic levels of cyanide and arsenic. These tiny organisms, which resemble badminton balls or sperm with skirts, are closely related to animals, sharing a common ancestor that dates back hundreds of millions of years. Surprisingly, researchers found that these coannoflagellates contained live bacteria within their cell colonies, a departure from the typical behavior of these organisms that usually consume bacteria. Understanding this unique relationship between the coannoflagellates and their bacteria could provide valuable insights into animal-microbe interactions, such as those occurring in the human gut microbiome.

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