Common Descent
@commondescentpod.bsky.social
A podcast about paleontology, evolution, and the history of life on Earth.
Hosted by Will🐊 and David🐍
https://commondescentpodcast.com/
Hosted by Will🐊 and David🐍
https://commondescentpodcast.com/
Pinned
We're on BlueSky now!
Hello! We are Common Descent, a podcast about paleontology, evolution, and the history of life on Earth!
We release episodes every fortnight! Each one focuses on a topic requested by our audience!
commondescentpodcast.com
Hello! We are Common Descent, a podcast about paleontology, evolution, and the history of life on Earth!
We release episodes every fortnight! Each one focuses on a topic requested by our audience!
commondescentpodcast.com
We're thrilled to be an informative influence!
Also everyone go read Stealing From Wizards!
Also everyone go read Stealing From Wizards!
@commondescentpod.bsky.social also had a surprisingly big influence on my writing. If you have to make us a fantasy world, its good to know something about the evolution and ecology of the closest things to dragons that lived on earth.
The Common Descent Podcast
Paleontology, evolution, and the history of life on Earth!
commondescentpodcast.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
We're thrilled to be an informative influence!
Also everyone go read Stealing From Wizards!
Also everyone go read Stealing From Wizards!
This year's Spook-E theme was Monsters of Nintendo, but a certain franchise was missing...
Join us in February for a special Speculative Evolution series called Pok-É!
Join us in February for a special Speculative Evolution series called Pok-É!
November 15, 2025 at 8:58 PM
This year's Spook-E theme was Monsters of Nintendo, but a certain franchise was missing...
Join us in February for a special Speculative Evolution series called Pok-É!
Join us in February for a special Speculative Evolution series called Pok-É!
Our End of the Year Q&A is coming up! Submit your question and tune in for the answers at the end of the year!
End of the Year Q&A 2025
Another year has come and almost gone, and that means it's time to answer all the questions! Ask and we shall answer in our giant-sized End of the Year Q&A! Submit a question below! One question per…
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Our End of the Year Q&A is coming up! Submit your question and tune in for the answers at the end of the year!
The latest episode of Briks with Bask is a LEGO tribute to one of our favorite Spook-E creations!
November 12, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The latest episode of Briks with Bask is a LEGO tribute to one of our favorite Spook-E creations!
News from Episode 230:
Incredible preservation reveals hooves and spines of Edmontosaurus, and some clues about how such fossils form.
Incredible preservation reveals hooves and spines of Edmontosaurus, and some clues about how such fossils form.
Here's how dinosaur ‘mummies’ are helping scientists solve fossil mysteries
A new study sheds light on how these reptiles become “mummies” and paints a picture of what these ancient animals looked like.
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November 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
News from Episode 230:
Incredible preservation reveals hooves and spines of Edmontosaurus, and some clues about how such fossils form.
Incredible preservation reveals hooves and spines of Edmontosaurus, and some clues about how such fossils form.
News from Episode 230:
Our friends at I Know Dino wrote a kids' book!
Our friends at I Know Dino wrote a kids' book!
I Know Dino!
Get the deets on dinos and find out how we know what we know about them, from the hosts of the popular podcast I Know Dino!Dinosaurs have been extinct for
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November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
News from Episode 230:
Our friends at I Know Dino wrote a kids' book!
Our friends at I Know Dino wrote a kids' book!
News from Episode 230:
A close look at alligator locomotion and insights into how history's largest reptiles moved around.
A close look at alligator locomotion and insights into how history's largest reptiles moved around.
How changing limb posture helped ancient reptiles grow
New research has revealed how more upright limb postures helped ancient reptiles overcome the biomechanical constraints of body size, paving the way for the evolution of larger sizes in archosaurs—a…
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November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
News from Episode 230:
A close look at alligator locomotion and insights into how history's largest reptiles moved around.
A close look at alligator locomotion and insights into how history's largest reptiles moved around.
The dome-headed dinosaurs are some of the most iconic ancient reptiles, but they’re surprisingly unexplored compared to other dinos.
Episode 230 – Pachycephalosaurs
Listen to Episode 230 on Podbean, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Among the famous groups of dinosaurs are the iconic but somehow poorly represented dome-headed …
buff.ly
November 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The dome-headed dinosaurs are some of the most iconic ancient reptiles, but they’re surprisingly unexplored compared to other dinos.
Our Spook-E Livestream is THIS WEEKEND! Join us for a discussion of this year's Nintendo Monsters and future plans!
November 8th at 3pm US Eastern Time!
November 8th at 3pm US Eastern Time!
Spook-E Livestream 2025!
Wrap up Spook-E Season with us! We'll chat about this year's Nintendo Monsters and future plans!
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Our Spook-E Livestream is THIS WEEKEND! Join us for a discussion of this year's Nintendo Monsters and future plans!
November 8th at 3pm US Eastern Time!
November 8th at 3pm US Eastern Time!
Next week, on Episode 230...
November 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Next week, on Episode 230...
Our End of the Year Q&A form is officially open!
Submit your question and keep your ears out for the answer at the end of the year!
forms.gle/GEpoqmuX18VD...
Submit your question and keep your ears out for the answer at the end of the year!
forms.gle/GEpoqmuX18VD...
End of the Year Q&A 2025
Another year has come and almost gone, and that means it's time to answer all the questions! Ask and we shall answer in our giant-sized End of the Year Q&A!
Submit a question below! One question per ...
forms.gle
November 1, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Our End of the Year Q&A form is officially open!
Submit your question and keep your ears out for the answer at the end of the year!
forms.gle/GEpoqmuX18VD...
Submit your question and keep your ears out for the answer at the end of the year!
forms.gle/GEpoqmuX18VD...
Loyal, curious, and ready to go! Spook-E Season wraps up today with Cute-E!
This episode, we pluck precious partners from the soil. What could be the evolutionary background of tiny and colorful workers that blend the features of plants and animals? Our creatures to create this time: Pikmin.
This episode, we pluck precious partners from the soil. What could be the evolutionary background of tiny and colorful workers that blend the features of plants and animals? Our creatures to create this time: Pikmin.
November 1, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Loyal, curious, and ready to go! Spook-E Season wraps up today with Cute-E!
This episode, we pluck precious partners from the soil. What could be the evolutionary background of tiny and colorful workers that blend the features of plants and animals? Our creatures to create this time: Pikmin.
This episode, we pluck precious partners from the soil. What could be the evolutionary background of tiny and colorful workers that blend the features of plants and animals? Our creatures to create this time: Pikmin.
News from Episode 229:
The incredible shrinking genomes of Canary Island spiders
The incredible shrinking genomes of Canary Island spiders
Island spider sheds half its genome, defying evolutionary expectations
Over a few million years, the spider Dysdera tilosensis—a species endemic to the Canary Islands—has reduced the size of its genome by half during the process of colonization and adaptation to its…
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October 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM
News from Episode 229:
The incredible shrinking genomes of Canary Island spiders
The incredible shrinking genomes of Canary Island spiders
News from Episode 229:
These might be the first known fossil footprints of a hyrax ... and also the first known fossil butt-drag-print of anything.
These might be the first known fossil footprints of a hyrax ... and also the first known fossil butt-drag-print of anything.
World’s first known butt-drag fossil trace was left by a rock hyrax in South Africa 126,000 years ago
The first hyrax fossil tracks and traces ever to be discovered were identified on South Africa’s coast.
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October 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
News from Episode 229:
These might be the first known fossil footprints of a hyrax ... and also the first known fossil butt-drag-print of anything.
These might be the first known fossil footprints of a hyrax ... and also the first known fossil butt-drag-print of anything.
News from Episode 229:
A group of Neanderthal footprints on the Portugal coast reinforce the idea that these ancient humans went after marine resources.
A group of Neanderthal footprints on the Portugal coast reinforce the idea that these ancient humans went after marine resources.
Tiny Footprints of a Neanderthal Toddler Reveal the Deeply Human Story of a Family on the Move
They went to the beach 80,000 years ago, but probably not to relax.
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October 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
News from Episode 229:
A group of Neanderthal footprints on the Portugal coast reinforce the idea that these ancient humans went after marine resources.
A group of Neanderthal footprints on the Portugal coast reinforce the idea that these ancient humans went after marine resources.
News from Episode 229:
The oldest known fossil leeches had marine habits and were missing some essential leech-parts.
The oldest known fossil leeches had marine habits and were missing some essential leech-parts.
Before they sucked blood, leeches were ocean hunters
A 430-million-year-old fossil has rewritten leech history, showing they are at least 200 million years older than previously believed. Unlike today’s bloodsucking leeches, their ancient ancestors…
buff.ly
October 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
News from Episode 229:
The oldest known fossil leeches had marine habits and were missing some essential leech-parts.
The oldest known fossil leeches had marine habits and were missing some essential leech-parts.
Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to mess with ants, but some animals have made a whole lifestyle out of it.
Episode 229 – Myrmecophagy (Ant-Eating)
Listen to Episode 229 on Podbean, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to mess with ants, but some animals have made a …
buff.ly
October 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to mess with ants, but some animals have made a whole lifestyle out of it.
The galaxy is not at peace! And neither is the Spook-E-Verse with these around!
This episode, we take the hunt across the stars. What biological explanation can we find for jellyfish-shaped parasites with a complex and terrifying life cycle? Our creatures to create this time: Metroids.
This episode, we take the hunt across the stars. What biological explanation can we find for jellyfish-shaped parasites with a complex and terrifying life cycle? Our creatures to create this time: Metroids.
October 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The galaxy is not at peace! And neither is the Spook-E-Verse with these around!
This episode, we take the hunt across the stars. What biological explanation can we find for jellyfish-shaped parasites with a complex and terrifying life cycle? Our creatures to create this time: Metroids.
This episode, we take the hunt across the stars. What biological explanation can we find for jellyfish-shaped parasites with a complex and terrifying life cycle? Our creatures to create this time: Metroids.
So they're finally here! Episode 3 of Spook-E is out now!
This time, we’re sailing with the scourges of DK Isle. What circumstances might lead to the evolution of crocodile-faced humanoid pirates? Our creatures to create this time: Kremlings.
This time, we’re sailing with the scourges of DK Isle. What circumstances might lead to the evolution of crocodile-faced humanoid pirates? Our creatures to create this time: Kremlings.
October 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
So they're finally here! Episode 3 of Spook-E is out now!
This time, we’re sailing with the scourges of DK Isle. What circumstances might lead to the evolution of crocodile-faced humanoid pirates? Our creatures to create this time: Kremlings.
This time, we’re sailing with the scourges of DK Isle. What circumstances might lead to the evolution of crocodile-faced humanoid pirates? Our creatures to create this time: Kremlings.
News from Episode 228:
The early evolution of lizards is famously confusing, and this new species - among the earliest known lizards - raises even more questions.
The early evolution of lizards is famously confusing, and this new species - among the earliest known lizards - raises even more questions.
New Jurassic Lizard Species Has Confusing Set of Features Seen in Snakes and Geckos | Sci.News
Breugnathair elgolensis is a species of hook-toothed lizard that lived during the Middle Jurassic, about 167 million years ago.
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October 13, 2025 at 2:33 PM
News from Episode 228:
The early evolution of lizards is famously confusing, and this new species - among the earliest known lizards - raises even more questions.
The early evolution of lizards is famously confusing, and this new species - among the earliest known lizards - raises even more questions.
News from Episode 228:
New species of megaraptorid was among the largest predators in its environment. Also it maybe ate crocs.
New species of megaraptorid was among the largest predators in its environment. Also it maybe ate crocs.
New 'Megaraptor' Species Found With Shocking Last Meal Still in Its Mouth
Paleontologists have discovered a new species of megaraptor dinosaur in Argentina, along with a startling clue about what it ate.
buff.ly
October 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
News from Episode 228:
New species of megaraptorid was among the largest predators in its environment. Also it maybe ate crocs.
New species of megaraptorid was among the largest predators in its environment. Also it maybe ate crocs.
News from Episode 228:
A new species and an expanded view of croc diversity during the Late Cretaceous of North America.
A new species and an expanded view of croc diversity during the Late Cretaceous of North America.
95 million-year-old 'tiny, tiny skull' from never-before-seen crocodile-like creature discovered in Montana
Researchers have described a whole new family of extinct crocodyliforms based on the fossilized remains of a single teenage croc named Elton discovered in the Blackleaf Formation.
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October 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
News from Episode 228:
A new species and an expanded view of croc diversity during the Late Cretaceous of North America.
A new species and an expanded view of croc diversity during the Late Cretaceous of North America.
News from Episode 228:
Wing injuries on baby pterosaurs provide clues as to how they died, with big implications for how flying reptiles ended up fossilized in the famous Solnhofen deposits of Germany.
Wing injuries on baby pterosaurs provide clues as to how they died, with big implications for how flying reptiles ended up fossilized in the famous Solnhofen deposits of Germany.
A powerful storm wiped out these baby pterosaurs 150 million years ago | CNN
Two baby pterosaur fossils contain rare evidence of how they died 150 million years ago — and the specimens solve a larger mystery about a fossil deposit in Germany.
buff.ly
October 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
News from Episode 228:
Wing injuries on baby pterosaurs provide clues as to how they died, with big implications for how flying reptiles ended up fossilized in the famous Solnhofen deposits of Germany.
Wing injuries on baby pterosaurs provide clues as to how they died, with big implications for how flying reptiles ended up fossilized in the famous Solnhofen deposits of Germany.
This episode, we explore how Dinosaur Provincial Park earned its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we list off some of the famous dinosaurs who once lived there, and we discuss a fraction of the many fossil discoveries that have been made at the Park since the late 1800s.
Episode 228 – Dinosaur Provincial Park
Listen to Episode 228 on Podbean, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! Take a trip to Alberta, Canada and you can visit a vast stretch of badlands that contains some …
buff.ly
October 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
This episode, we explore how Dinosaur Provincial Park earned its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we list off some of the famous dinosaurs who once lived there, and we discuss a fraction of the many fossil discoveries that have been made at the Park since the late 1800s.
It's dangerous to go alone! There are new monsters afoot!
This episode, we take a trip to the Kingdom of Hyrule. How might nature develop an octopus-like monster with a penchant for projectiles? Our creatures to create this time: Ocotoroks.
This episode, we take a trip to the Kingdom of Hyrule. How might nature develop an octopus-like monster with a penchant for projectiles? Our creatures to create this time: Ocotoroks.
October 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
It's dangerous to go alone! There are new monsters afoot!
This episode, we take a trip to the Kingdom of Hyrule. How might nature develop an octopus-like monster with a penchant for projectiles? Our creatures to create this time: Ocotoroks.
This episode, we take a trip to the Kingdom of Hyrule. How might nature develop an octopus-like monster with a penchant for projectiles? Our creatures to create this time: Ocotoroks.