Palaeo After Dark
Science & Ideas
About
A group of scientists have biweekly informal discussions about evolutionary biology and palaeontology... over beer.
Episodes
- Podcast 332 - Bird Peepin'
The gang discusses two papers that investigate phenotypic plasticity. The first paper reviews the pathways by which phenotype can be plastic, and the second paper looks at plasticity of breeding times in urban vs rural bird populations. Me…
- Podcast 331 - Reef It Up
Palaeo After Dark reviews two papers on ancient bioherms. The first explores early Phanerozoic reef formation, while the second examines reef building and collapse patterns during the late Devonian extinction event.
- Podcast 330 - Dinosaur Body Pillow
In Podcast 330, Palaeo After Dark reviews two papers on ancient animal morphology. The first examines the life position of Ediacaran taxa, and the second explores Oviraptor nesting strategies through an experimental approach.
- Podcast 329 - Boom Shakalaka
The podcast episode reviews two scientific papers. The first models the jumping capabilities of a non-avian theropod dinosaur, while the second examines whether a large extinct bird species could have skimmed the ocean surface for food.
- Podcast 238 - Fins for Days
In Podcast 238, the hosts discuss two scientific papers focusing on fins. One paper utilizes computer algorithms to determine the tail fin shape of mosasaurs, while the second introduces a new Spinosaurus species characterized by a crest.…
- Podcast 327 - Horse or Deer?
The podcast covers two papers on dinosaur fossils. The first examines cellular-level preservation of cutaneous spikes in an Early Cretaceous iguanodontian. The second paper analyzes a specimen to argue that Nanotyrannus is a distinct genus…
- Podcast 326 - But What Is It?
The podcast discusses two papers on fossil discoveries. One examines Cambrian vertebrates with evidence suggesting four eyes, potentially linking to the parietal eye. The second paper analyzes exceptional Rhynie Chert preservation to reass…
- Podcast 325 - The Curse of the Not Cat
This episode of Palaeo After Dark focuses on two scientific papers concerning Nimravids, early cat-like mammals. The discussion explores their fossil evidence, potential diets, and behaviors, highlighting how they differed from present-day…
- Podcast 324 - Pick Up the Pieces
The podcast episode covers two scientific papers that examine fragmentary fossils to investigate the evolutionary origins of major animal groups. The discussion includes an Early Ordovician eurypterid and an early squamate, exploring their…
- Podcast 323e - "All Sales Final" Part 5 - Another Satisfied Customer
In "All Sales Final" Part 5, the crew of the CS Perry attempts to escape a worsening predicament. The episode features music by Kevin MacLeod.
- Podcast 323d - "All Sales Final" Part 4 - The Milk Run
In "All Sales Final" Part 4 - The Milk Run, the crew of the CS Perry faces a perilous situation aboard a space station controlled by multiple hostile AIs. They must devise a plan to salvage their mission amidst the chaos.
- Podcast 323c - "All Sales Final" Part 3 - The Hard Sell
Podcast 323c of Palaeo After Dark, titled "All Sales Final" Part 3 - The Hard Sell, details the negotiation process for the CA-chip by the crew of the CS Perry. The sales team is asking for a very high price.
- Podcast 323b - "All Sales Final" Part 2 - A Representative Will Be With You Shortly
Podcast 323b, Part 2 of "All Sales Final," follows the crew of the CS Perry as they attempt to acquire mothballed tech from an abandoned spaceport.
- Podcast 323a - "All Sales Final" Part 1
This episode features James, Curt, Amanda, and Ants playing the Mothership space horror tabletop RPG. They discuss the game's setting, rules, and introduce the main characters for their story.
- Podcast 322 - Obligatory Dinosaur Podcast 3: Dino With a Vengeance
This episode of Palaeo After Dark covers two papers on dinosaurs. The first examines community structure during the Cretaceous period, suggesting dinosaurs may not have been in decline before a major extinction event. The second paper desc…
- Podcast 321 - Getting Mostly Stems Here
The podcast episode discusses two scientific papers. The first uses birth-death models to simulate the fossil record and evolutionary dynamics, while the second investigates early arthropod evolution through stem mandibulate fossils.
- Podcast 320 - von Herrerasaurus
This episode examines two studies on fossil bone injuries. The first paper investigates the causes of facial injuries in herrarasaurids, suggesting intraspecific conflict. The second paper analyzes skeletal trauma in La Brea Tar Pits preda…
- Podcast 319 - CSI Crato Formation
Palaeo After Dark features discussions on two papers investigating the Crato Formation
- Podcast 318 - Derp Fish Returns
The podcast episode discusses two scientific papers concerning vertebrate evolution. The first paper examines early Devonian trace fossils to understand semi-terrestrial adaptations, while the second paper investigates fossils related to t…
- Podcast 317 - Bring the Brain Power
The hosts discuss two papers concerning fossil brains. The first paper examines a Cambrian arthropod, using its neurological features to determine its phylogenetic position. The second paper investigates a synapsid braincase, exploring the…
- Podcast 316 - Sail Back Bros
Palaeo After Dark Podcast 316 reviews two papers on fossil skin. One paper details skin impressions from a Permian synapsid, indicating dry, scaled skin. The second paper identifies feather-like structures on an early Triassic diapsid, sug…
- Podcast 315 - Final Transmission from the Black Lodge
This episode of Palaeo After Dark discusses two paleontology papers: one on Arctic bird nesting sites dating back to the Cretaceous period, and another examining the accuracy of estimating avian flight speeds from fossil trackways. The dis…
- Podcast 314 - Weird Archosaur Summer
The Palaeo After Dark hosts discuss herbivorous pterosaurs, examining evidence of plant matter in their diets. They also cover a theoretical analysis suggesting T-Rex might have had a speed advantage hunting in shallow water.
- Podcast 313 - Ooooo Banana
The episode "Ooooo Banana" from Palaeo After Dark discusses two recent papers. One describes new material from an early dinosaur group, offering insights into the evolution of bird-line archosaurs. The second paper examines the palaeobioge…
- Podcast 312 - Sick Skateboard Tricks
Palaeo After Dark covers two papers on sauropods: one examining the defensive use of the Plateosaurus tail, and another analyzing fossilized gut contents to understand sauropod diet and digestion.
- Podcast 311 - On a Wing and a Trace
The podcast episode delves into pterosaur trace fossils, referencing two studies. The first paper explores a method for linking pterosaur traces to potential makers, while the second provides a case study of assigning traces to a known spe…
- Podcast 310 - This Podcast Is Two Darth Vaders Tall
Palaeo After Dark reviews two papers on crocodylomorph evolution. The first explores how mass extinctions affected the group's disparity, while the second uses new phylogenetic data to analyze size trends and biogeography during the Cenozo…
- Podcast 309 - Wet Hot Archosaur Summer Begins
The podcast episode discusses crocodyliforms, beginning with a paper on an early Cenozoic large notosuchian that survived the K-Pg mass extinction. It also covers research on cryptic species within the Crocodylia clade and their impact on…
- Podcast 308 - Failing to Talk About the K/Pg Mass Extinction
The podcast attempts to discuss two papers concerning the K-Pg mass extinction. One paper investigates how sampling bias affects our understanding of the extinction by estimating Cretaceous sampling probability, while the other examines sp…
- Podcast 307 - Glow in the Dark Shrew Jorts
Palaeo After Dark examines two papers on evolutionary habitat shifts. The discussion covers sharks moving into deep-sea environments and shifts in mammal locomotion and habitat use from the Cretaceous to the Paleogene periods.
- Podcast 306 - Birbs Grinding on the Edge of the Pareto Front
The podcast episode discusses two scientific papers that analyze bird morphology using morphometrics. The first paper focuses on feather evolution in flightless birds, while the second explores selection patterns on various avian body part…
- Podcast 305 - Skin in the Game
The podcast episode discusses two scientific papers focusing on preserved skin and external tissues. It covers a Cambrian molting record and the initial findings of preserved plesiosaur skin, alongside anecdotal discussions from the hosts.
- Podcast 304 - Getting the Timing Right
The Palaeo After Dark podcast episode discusses two papers. The first examines potential raptorial appendages in fossil artiopods, exploring the evolution of these features. The second paper presents early evidence of modern bird morpholog…
- Podcast 303 - When Is It The Crown
This episode of Palaeo After Dark discusses two scientific papers. The first paper examines fossil glass sponges from the Late Ordovician, suggesting the crown group may be older than previously thought. The second paper uses phylogenomics…
- Podcast 302 - A Rambling Homage to Vrba
In this episode of Palaeo After Dark, the hosts discuss the research of Elisabeth Vrba, focusing on two of her papers. The discussion touches on macroevolutionary trends, adaptation, incidental effects, and how small elements contribute to…
- Podcast 301 - You Little Punk
Palaeo After Dark reviews two papers on Silurian soft-tissue preservation. One paper discusses a potential unique pterobranch, and the other examines early molluscs, noting their unusual characteristics and naming conventions.
- Podcast 300 - Shameless Dead Juvenile Specimen Joke
This episode of Palaeo After Dark covers two papers on exceptionally preserved juvenile fossils. One details the oldest known tadpole, illustrating the evolutionary stability of the anuran life cycle. The other presents a mummified juvenil…
- Podcast 299 - Small Green Things
This episode of Palaeo After Dark discusses two scientific papers on the evolution of photosynthesis. It covers potential fossil evidence of thylakoids, the earliest sign of oxygenic photosynthesis, and the discovery of photosynthesizing s…
- Podcast 298c - Operation Raccoon Part 3: The Big Score
In "Operation Raccoon Part 3: The Big Score," Sausage, Biscuits, Eggey, and Crankshaft attempt to infiltrate a mansion for a heist. The episode questions whether they will succeed in their plan for the raccoons or face failure.
- Podcast 298b - Operation Raccoon Part 2: The Approach
In Podcast 298b, Operation Raccoon Part 2, the characters Sausage, Biscuits, Eggey, and Crankshaft embark on a holiday adventure aboard the Dumpster Fire. The episode references music by Kevin MacLeod and the game 'Raccoon Sky Pirates'.
- Podcast 298a - Operation Raccoon Part 1: Planning the Heist
James, Amanda, Curt, and Ants gather to plan a holiday raccoon heist. Music is "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" by Kevin MacLeod.
- Podcast 297 - Amanda Falk is Still a Threat
In Podcast 297, Palaeo After Dark explores mosaic evolution through two studies. One paper investigates patterns in cat evolution, while the other examines avian ecomorphy, specifically focusing on neck structure changes related to feeding…
- Podcast 296 - An Arm and a Head
The podcast reviews two studies on extinct arthropods: one detailing five cephalic appendages in trilobites and another on the newly discovered head of Arthropleura, offering insights into millipede evolution.
- Podcast 295 - EeMoo or EeMyu
Palaeo After Dark reviews two papers on soft tissue preservation in the Cambrian. One paper examines the sedimentology and paleoenvironment of the Emu Bay Shale, while the other discusses preservation in a marginal marine setting. The epis…
- Podcast 294 - The Motherload
Palaeo After Dark covers two papers on fossil localities. One paper examines an early Triassic community that survived a mass extinction, revealing a modern-type marine ecosystem. The second paper discusses exceptional trace fossils from t…
- Podcast 293 - This Episode Doesn't Suck
In Podcast 293, the hosts of Palaeo After Dark examine two scientific papers regarding convergent evolution. The discussion covers comparisons between Spinosaurus and phytosaurs, and the hyoid bones of ichthyosaurs and toothed whales, anal…
- Podcast 292 - That's How You Get Ants
Palaeo After Dark episode 292 covers two scientific papers. The first examines convergence in ant-plant symbiosis, and the second explores correlated evolution of color in crayfish. A simplified explanation of the papers' findings is also…
- Podcast 291 - DoInG vErY wElL tHaNk YoU
The hosts of Palaeo After Dark, tired after travel disruptions, spend the episode venting and drinking. They briefly touch upon two papers concerning the growth rates of Triassic archosaurs and geographic distribution of early tetrapods.
- Podcast 290 - Want to Get Away
This episode of Palaeo After Dark discusses two papers on bird migration patterns. The first paper details the breeding and migration of the American woodcock, noting its unique pattern of reproducing in multiple locations. The second pape…
- Podcast 289 - The Brachiopod Paradox
The podcast covers two papers on extinct animal morphology: one on Ornithischian dinosaur tooth replacement and herbivorous adaptation, and another on the brachiopod Rafinesquina, explaining its filter-feeding mechanism and ability to thri…