Linguistic Laws in Nature and Fatherless Condor Chicks from Parthenogenesis

Jan 13, 2022

The podcast explores linguistic laws in nature and the incredible story of fatherless condor chicks born through parthenogenesis. They discuss the application of linguistic laws to biology, including word frequency and length in animal communication. They also delve into the discovery of asexual reproduction in male California condors and the genetic advantages of parthenogenesis. The podcast highlights the importance of careful breeding programs to minimize inbreeding and discusses the challenges and unique implications of parthenogenesis in birds and females.

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Introduction

00:00 • 4min

Asexual Reproduction and Fatherless California Condor Chicks

04:17 • 4min

Linguistic Laws in Nature and Fatherless Condor Chicks from Parthenogenesis

07:53 • 2min

Parthenogenesis and the Challenges of Reproduction

09:32 • 2min

Learn about linguistic “laws” that also show up in nature; and how two California condors were born without fathers.

Linguistic "laws" like Zipf’s law of abbreviation and Menzerath’s law also show up in biology, geography, and more by Grant Currin

Jonny Thomson. (2021, October 22). The unknown linguistic laws that apply to all life. Big Think; Big Think. https://bigthink.com/life/linguistic-laws-biology/
Semple, S., Ferrer-i-Cancho, R., & Gustison, M. L. (2021). Linguistic laws in biology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2021.08.012

Two condor chicks were born from parthenogenesis, something we've never seen before by Cameron Duke

Harrison, S. (2021, October 28). California Condors Are Capable of Asexual Reproduction. Wired; WIRED. https://www.wired.com/story/california-condors-are-capable-of-asexual-reproduction/
Ryder, O. A., Thomas, S., Judson, J. M., Romanov, M. N., Dandekar, S., Papp, J. C., Sidak-Loftis, L. C., Walker, K., Stalis, I. H., Mace, M., Steiner, C. C., & Chemnick, L. G. (2021). Facultative Parthenogenesis in California Condors. Journal of Heredity. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esab052
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Conservation Scientists Report First Confirmed Hatchings of Two California Condor Chicks from Unfertilized Eggs. (2021). San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/pr/CondorParthenogenesis
The Economist. (2021, October 30). No sex please, we’re condors. The Economist; The Economist. https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2021/10/30/no-sex-please-were-condors
Zhang, S. (2021, October 28). The Atlantic. The Atlantic; theatlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/10/california-condors-are-capable-virgin-birth/620517/

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Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/linguistic-laws-in-nature-and-fatherless-condor-chicks-from-parthenogenesis

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