Science Magazine Podcast Why anteaters keep evolving, and how giant whales get enough food to live
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Aug 7, 2025 David Grimm, Online News Editor for Science, discusses the remarkable evolution of anteaters, which have adapted at least twelve times to their insectivorous diets. He also reveals how the unique structure of peacock feathers allows them to emit laser light, sparking innovation in science. Ashley Blawas, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station, shares groundbreaking insights into the lunge-feeding technique of giant whales, highlighting their surprisingly energy-efficient feeding strategy that defies previous assumptions. It's a fascinating dive into evolution and marine biology!
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Multiple Anteater Evolutions
- Anteaters and other ant-eating animals evolved at least 12 times independently in about 66 million years.
- This is more frequent and faster evolution than crab-like forms, showing the power of convergent evolution.
Insect Boom Drove Anteater Evolution
- The ant and termite explosion after dinosaurs died boosted evolution of ant-eating animals.
- Flowering plants spread led termites to balloon from 1% to 45% of insects, creating abundant food sources.
Potatoes Evolved From Tomato Ancestors
- Tomatoes evolved before potatoes, which arose by hybridization between tomato relatives and the E. tuberosum group.
- Potatoes gained tuber-forming genes from tomatoes and traits for underground stem growth from E. tuberosum.