Monday, August 02, 2021

Big Picture Science for Aug. 2nd, 2021 - Platypus Crazy






 

Big Picture Science - Platypus Crazy

They look like a cross between a beaver and a duck, and they all live Down Under. The platypus may lay eggs, but is actually a distant mammalian cousin, one that we last saw, in an evolutionary sense, about 166 million years ago.

Genetic sequencing is being used to trace that history, while scientists intensify their investigation of the habits and habitats of these appealing Frankencreatures; beginning by taking a census to see just how many are out there, and if their survival is under threat.

Guests:

  • Josh Griffiths – Senior Wildlife Ecologist at Cesaar Australia.
  • Jane Fenelon – Research fellow, University of Melbournee.
  • Paula Anich – Professor of Natural Resources, Northland College.
  • Wes Warren – Professor of Genomics, University of Missouri.
  • Phoebe Meagher – Conservation Officer, Taronga Conservation Society, Australia.

Download podcast at - http://bigpicturescience.org/episodes/platypus-crazy

You can listen to this and other episodes at http://bigpicturescience.org/, and be sure to check out Blog Picture Science, the companion blog to the radio show.

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