Episode 47 - Early Synapsids ("Proto-Mammals")

Synapsids are a vast group of animals that includes only one living lineage: us mammals. But for about 100 million years before true mammals evolved, ancient synapsids were not only incredibly diverse, but dominant in ecosystems around the world. In this episode, we’ll explore some of this incredible variety of “proto-mammals” and track the long evolutionary transition that produced all the familiar traits that make us mammalian. In the news: a new living croc, a carnivorous herbivorous dinosaur, strange old footprints, and fish origins. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:04:45 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:33:55 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:02:30 Patron question: 01:29:00 Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures: http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress... Follow and Support us on: Patreon:   / commondescentpodcast   Twitter:   / commondescentpc   Facebook:   / commondescentpodcast   PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.... iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/t... YouTube:    / @commondescent   The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org. Muscial Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...