Show Notes
The gang discusses two papers about jawless fishes. The first paper looks at some soft tissue preservation of early vertebrates which include preserving evidence of an ancient heart, while the second paper investigates how the fossil record of hagfish can inform the order in which characteristics evolved within the group. Meanwhile, James "solves" his problems with machines, Amanda keeps making new friends whether they like it or not, Curt claims no responsibility, and everyone loves these kawaii line drawings.
Up-Goer Five (James Edition): This week the group look at two papers that are about different animals that have no legs and live in water. The first paper is about a very strange animal that lived a very long time ago that people have thought might be an early part of the group that is made up of things with hard parts inside. The paper looks at things inside the animal and show that they are made of old blood showing the parts of the animal that carried the blood and the parts that clean it. These parts suggest that the animal is in fact an early part of the group that eventually get hard parts inside. The second paper looks at three animals that are part of the group of animals that make thick wet stuff and have a mouth that does not move. They also have small eyes under the skin and live in deep places and it has been thought they show what all animals with hard parts inside used to be like. These three old animals show how the eyes have changed over time and that these animals used to have normal eyes. One of the animals is starting to get small eyes and this shows that the eyes did not get small because they lived in the dark because this one is from water that is not deep.
References: Tian, Qingyi, et al. "Evidence for aorta and other blood vessels in fossil yunnanozoans from the Cambrian period." Royal Society Open Science 13.6 (2026): 260043. McCoy, Victoria E., et al. "Stepwise loss of complexity in hagfish eyes prior to deep sea colonization." Biology Letters 22.5 (2026): 20260127.
More from Palaeo After Dark
We report back with coverage of the Geological Society of America 2026 annual meeting, and only once do we completely mess up using the equipment. Progress!
The gang discusses two papers that use a lot of statistics to make their arguments. The first paper looks at the argument against the existence of megalodon nurseries, and the second paper assesses the importance of biotic vs abiotic patterns in extinction. Meanwhile, James has a new button, Amanda has school spirit, Curt tries to be civil, and we all need a drink…
The gang discusses two papers that use comparative anatomy of bone to tell some really interesting stories about fossil animals. The first paper uses the hand bones of Stegasaurus and Camarasaurus to investigate how they walked and also the evolutionary processes by which they may have developed these unique shapes. The second paper pieces together the complex taphonomy of a dead ichthyosaur. Meanwhile, Amanda fails at giving directions, James fails and following directions, and Curt fails to keep any of this on track.
The gang discusses two papers that technically involve symbiosis. The first paper looks at fossil evidence for tape worms, and the second paper is a review of the various evolutionary hypotheses of the convergent origin of viviparity (live birth). Meanwhile, Curt imagines a new theme park, James has a good night, and Amanda surprises us all.
The gang discusses two papers that use fossils to understand ecological interactions in the past. The first paper reports predation patterns on fossil blastoids, and the second paper finds brooding in the soft tissue of fossil bivalves. And then… the gang gets very much back on their bullshit… Meanwhile, James simplifies his life, Curt discusses new business ventures, and Amanda is seen.