Palaeocast

Dr Laura Porro joins us to look at the fins-to-limbs transition from a biomechanical perspective. We also reflect on the recent passing of Prof. Jenny Clack

Updates about the show and discussion of recent events

Dr Ben Kear takes us back to the Mesozoic to hunt for plesiosaurs at the South Pole. We discuss the significance of polar latitudes to the evolution of the group and how the Australian opal mining industry is helping to find new specimens.

We continue our exploration of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature with Dr Markus Bertling, considering its application to the fossil record and reviewing the fantastic case of scrotum humanum.

What's in a name? What can and can't you name an organism? Dr Markus Bertling, commissioner at the ICZN, helps clarify.

We're joined by Prof. Susan Evans who gives us an overview of the field of herpetology, and the research she is carrying out with colleagues around the world. We explore the elusive origins of crown amphibians, and what recent fieldwork in Scotland could reveal about their emergence in the Jurassic.

Liz and Adele Pentland catch up at SVP to discuss Ferrodraco, Australia's most complete pterosaur.

Dr Frankie Dunn joins us to discuss Ediacaran developmental biology and how we might learn more about the identity of these organisms based on how they grow, than from what they grow into.

Dr “Dino” Degrange, joins us to talk about the anatomy and palaeoecology of the terror birds (Phorusrhacidae). Were they really that terrifying?

Part two: Dr Marissa Betts joins us to delve into the earliest Cambrian of Australia, explore its fauna and determine how these small shelly fossils fit into the global geological timescale.

Dr Marissa Betts joins us to delve into the earliest Cambrian of Australia, explore its fauna and determine how these small shelly fossils fit into the global geological timescale.

We evaluate the preservation of original organic content in dinosaur bone with Dr Evan Saitta of the Field Museum of Natural History

In this episode we speak with Prof. Neil Shubin, Professor of Organismal Biology at the University of Chicago, about the discovery of Tiktaalik and his use of developmental biology.

Dr Catalina Pimiento joins us to discuss everything we know about megalodon, its ecology and how it got to be so big!

From 1:1 scale whales to microfossils scaled up to the size of a house, there are few model-building projects that 10 Tons are afraid to take on. At the helm of this business is Esben Horn and in this episode, he joins us to discuss the process of model building, from concept to museum display. We also talk about some of the exhibitions 10 Tons have led themselves, including the successful ‘Rock Fossils on Tour‘ which showcases some of the different fossils named in honour of rock/metal musicians.