

The Common Descent Podcast
Common Descent
Join David and Will as they explore the paleontologists’ perspective on various topics in life and earth history.
Each episode features a main discussion on a topic requested by the listeners, presented as a lighthearted and educational conversation about fossils, evolution, deep time, and more.
Before the main discussion, each episode also includes a news segment, covering recent research related to paleontology and evolution.
Each episode ends with the answer to a question submitted by subscribers on Patreon.
New episodes with new topics every fortnight!
Each episode features a main discussion on a topic requested by the listeners, presented as a lighthearted and educational conversation about fossils, evolution, deep time, and more.
Before the main discussion, each episode also includes a news segment, covering recent research related to paleontology and evolution.
Each episode ends with the answer to a question submitted by subscribers on Patreon.
New episodes with new topics every fortnight!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 17, 2020 • 1h 57min
Episode 87 - Ceratopsians, the Horned Dinosaurs
From massive Triceratops to tiny Psittacosaurus, few dinosaurs are as famous, charismatic, or commonly preserved as ceratopsians. In this episode, we’ll follow this group’s evolutionary journey from little bipeds to horned behemoths and discuss some of the biggest scientific questions about their history, their identification, and of course their magnificently adorned noggins.
In the news: the Tully monster, very strange mammals, dinosaur hunting habits, and the tail of Spinosaurus.
Please pardon our audio issues in this episode.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:00
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:42:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:17:00
Patron question: 01:51:30
Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/
New merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Featuring art by Rob Soto! https://www.rob-soto.com/
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
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/

May 12, 2020 • 1h 2min
Live Chat - Ancient DNA
In this series, we invite scientists to live Q&As on YouTube, where we discuss topics we’ve covered before on the podcast.
This episode, we discussed Ancient DNA with Dr. Leigha Lynch of Washington University. You can find Leigha on Twitter at @PantheraLeigha.
You can also watch the video recording of this Live Chat on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfdiT8Klm_YO04cvDqZ-_O3Iiq0J5GZJz
Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/
New merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Featuring art by Rob Soto! https://www.rob-soto.com/
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

May 3, 2020 • 1h 48min
Episode 86 - New Zealand
In the South Pacific Ocean, there is a family of islands that have been isolated since the Cretaceous Period. New Zealand – past and present – has been home to some of the most unique and fascinating ecosystems on the planet, from its reptiles to its birds to its plants. This episode, we visit New Zealand and take a trip through the fossil and geology history that made it the wonderful place it is today.
In the news: lizard birth, Cretaceous shark extinction, traveling monkeys, and marine croc ears.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:08:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:35:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:02:30
Patron question: 01:38:00
Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/
New merch at the Common Descent Store! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Featuring art by Rob Soto! https://www.rob-soto.com/
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
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/

Apr 19, 2020 • 1h 53min
Episode 85 – The Ordovician Mass Extinction
We’ve discussed mass extinctions quite a bit on this podcast, and indeed we’ve devoted episode to four out of the famous “Big Five” that shaped life on Earth. This episode, we’re completing the set with the Ordovician mass extinction, the earliest of the five. As usual, we’ll explore what happened, who it happened to, why it happened, and how it left its mark on life on Earth.
In the news: ocean crocs, early archosaurs, ancient humans, and post-extinction lakes.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:00
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:30:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:01:00
Patron question: 01:46:00
Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/
The Common Descent Store is open! Get merch! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
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/

Apr 16, 2020 • 1h 12min
Silver Screen Science - Animals of the James Bond Franchise
There’s a pandemic on, and we and many of our listeners are spending lots of time at home. On the bright side, it’s a good opportunity to watch movies and record Silver Screen Science! So, we’re putting together some new episodes, to keep you – and ourselves – entertained.
This episode, we share some thoughts from our long and animal-filled journey through the James Bond films.
The Common Descent Store is open! Get merch! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Apr 8, 2020 • 53min
Silver Screen Science - Godzilla (1998)
There’s a pandemic on, and we and many of our listeners are spending lots of time at home. On the bright side, it’s a good opportunity to watch movies and record Silver Screen Science! So, we’re putting together some new episodes, to keep you – and ourselves – entertained.
This episode, we revisit the King of Monsters: Godzilla (1998)
The Common Descent Store is open! Get merch! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Apr 5, 2020 • 2h 12min
Episode 84 - Paleopathology
Life ain’t always easy. Injury and disease are a persistent threat for life of all sorts, and that’s been true for as long as there has been life. Fortunately for us, these threats can leave evidence in fossils, teaching us about the lives, struggles, and sometimes deaths of ancient organisms. The study of this evidence is called paleopathology, and in this episode, our friend Laura will explain the ins and outs of the field and share with us some of her favorite examples.
In the news: ancient hands, old snakes, the earliest animals, and a new dinosaur.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:00
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:41:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:17:00
Patron question: 02:07:00
Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/
The Common Descent Store is open! Get merch! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
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/

Apr 1, 2020 • 1h 15min
Silver Screen Science - Evolution (2001)
There’s a pandemic on, and we and many of our listeners are spending lots of time at home. On the bright side, it’s a good opportunity to watch movies and record Silver Screen Science! So, we’re putting together some new episodes, to keep you – and ourselves – entertained.
This episode, ca-caw ca-caw tookie tookie: Evolution (2001)
The Common Descent Store is open! Get merch! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Mar 29, 2020 • 1h 45min
Patron Mini-Episode Compilation
One of the rewards we offer to our highest-level Patrons is a special mini-episode on an animal or group of their choosing. We’ve done five so far, and we’ve put them together into this compilation so you can all now enjoy them!
Special thanks to our Patrons for their generous contributions, and thanks also to our special guests, Keila and the cat.
00:04:15 Desmatosuchus for Julie
00:26:00 Stygimoloch for Danielle
00:45:15 Cryptobranchids for Michael
01:00:00 Parrots for Beth
01:21:00 Graboids for Barbara
The Common Descent Store is open! Get merch! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
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/

Mar 25, 2020 • 50min
Silver Screen Science - Tremors
There’s a pandemic on, and we and many of our listeners are spending lots of time at home. On the bright side, it’s a good opportunity to watch movies and record Silver Screen Science! So, we’re putting together some new episodes, to keep you – and ourselves – entertained.
This episode, happy 30-year anniversary to: Tremors (1990)
Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/
The Common Descent Store is open! Get merch! http://zazzle.com/common_descent
Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast
Instagram: @commondescentpodcast
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.


