Quirky Creepy and Freaky

Episode 43: So...are bats primates? Part 2

Today we have the part 2 of our journey down the rabbit hole that is the Flying Primate Hypothesis! Without giving spoilers, this episode talks about the evidence against the hypothesis, and talks about what science is currently saying about how closely related bats are to primates (and therefore us!) and other groups. Find out in this episode if bats are more closely related to primates or to cats! 

Episode 42: Are bats primates? Part 1

And we're back! You, the listeners picked the episode today, and we have quite the episode! In what will be a 2 part series, we will be exploring the flying primate hypothesis, the idea that the large bats, flying foxes and fruit bats, were descended from primates! In this episode, we introduce the flying primate hypothesis, and introduce some of the drama and controversy surrounding it, and the supporting evidence.  

 

4 part paper drama: 

Pettigrew, J. 1991. Wings or Brain? Convergent Evolution in the Origins of Bats. Syst. Zool. (40)2: 199-216

Baker RJ, Novacek MJ, Simmons NB. 1991. On the monophyly of bats. Syst Zool. (40)2: 216-231

Simmons NB, Novacek MJ, Baker RJ. 1991. Approaches, Methods, and the Future of the Chiropteran Monophyly Controversy: A Reply to JD Pettigrew. Syst. Zool. (40)2: 239-243

Pettigre1 J. 1991. A fruitful, Wrong Hypothesis? Response to Baker, Novacek, and Simmons. Syst Zool (40)2: 231-239

 

 

Episode 41: The History and Legends of Black Cats

Happy Halloween everyone! This week, we'll be exploring some of the history of superstitions surrounding black cats. Did you know that a black cat showing up in your door step could bring your prosperity? Or that black cats could actually be shape-shifting witches? Join us this week to learn all about your favorite kitties. 

 

 

Episode 40: Open Ocean Migrations of Tiny Birds

For episode 40 we are once again talking about fantastic feats of migration! Today, we talk about transoceanic migration paths of three small songbirds, the blackpoll warbler, Connecticut warbler, and the Bobolink, and how every fall they fly thousands of miles over the open ocean. 

A couple notes on mis-speaks: The Connecticut warbler flies to the Amazon Basin, and the Blackpoll warbler is indeed only 12g. 

Patreon: Patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Episode 39: Save the Bees and Leave the Leaves

Fall is here, leaves are changing colors, so it's time to talk about pollinators! This is an important time of year to be thinking about supporting our native pollinators and native bees over winter, so tune in to learn about how you can use your fallen leaves to help the bees! For more information on how you can support your local pollinators, check out xerces.org. 

Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Episode 38: Blue Sharks and the Top 5 Fastest Sharks

In Episode 38, we have our third episode on sharks and the end of our shark unofficial miniseries! This episode we talk about blue sharks, and their migration patterns, their litters with all of the pups, and then we decide which sharks are the top five fastest sharks in the world. Tune in to find out where the blue shark fits in that list!

Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Episode 37: The Porbeagle Shark and Beagles

This next shark themed episode talks about the porbeagle shark! Come learn about this warm-blooded shark and its more famous cousins, the Great White, and find out how this shark's name may have been inspired by beagles. 

Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Episode 36: Basking Sharks, the Second Largest Fish

Join us this episode as we start a few episode long series on different shark species! We start of with basking sharks, the second largest fish, and the second largest shark, and just how small you would feel sitting next to one. Of course we use bananas for scale, so if you've ever wanted to know how long a basking shark is in bananas, be sure to tune in! 

patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Episode 35: Medicinal Leeches

Have you ever been curious about the use of leeches in medicine? Then this is the episode for you! We talk about the history behind medicinal leeches, what makes them useful, and some of the things we still use leeches for in medicine today. 


Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Episode 34:Why Leeches Don’t Suck

On our last critter in our series of bloodsucking summertime ectoparasites, we have a part 1 episode talking about leeches! Many bloodsucking parasites have a risk of transmitting a long list of diseases, but leeches are an exception. Listen on in to learn more about leeches and their lack of disease transmission. 

Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod