Adapt or Die! The Evolutionary Biology of Pop Culture
Darwin did not expect to have "his" theory applied to pixelated creatures...this is payback for taking the limelight over Wallace. On Adapt or Die, Austin (a PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) explores topics in popular culture that can be dissected with evolutionary theories and ideas. We will ask questions like "Does Pokémon evolution work like actual evolution?" or "How would evolution inform what lives and what dies after nuclear fallout". Combining peer-reviewed science, humour, and a smidge of speculation we will adapt our understanding of pop culture together.
Adapt or Die! The Evolutionary Biology of Pop Culture
15. To Kill a Kilowattrel: Evolution of Flight
Welcome to this brand new episode of Adapt or Die! The evolutionary biology of pop culture hosted by Austin Ashbaugh. The current cultural phenomenon we are discussing this season is Pokémon and todays episode is focused on the flying type. Our evolutionary connection to the flying type is the evolution of flight.
In the Safari Zone, I get into the evolution of flight in invertebrates and vertebrates using pokemon case studies. During the pokémon professors rant, I appropriately rant about more diversity in flying type pokémon. Lastly, we will end todays episode with describing a regional variant of a new pidgey variant and results from our latest pokémon spectacular competition. Sit back and relax in a chair older than yourself, open an old dusty tome, and join me as we adapt or die!
Link to Google Slides of Pokémon discussed in this episode
Additional resources mentioned in this episode:
1. Elgin, R. A., Hone, D. W., & Frey, E. (2011). The extent of the pterosaur flight membrane. _Acta Palaeontologica Polonica_, _56_(1), 99-111.
2. Hunter, P. (2007). The nature of flight: the molecules and mechanics of flight in animals. _EMBO reports_, _8_(9), 811-813.
3. Iwamoto H, Nishikawa Y, Wakayama J, Fujisawa T (2002) Direct X-ray observation of a single hexagonal myofilament lattice in native myofibrils of striated muscle. Biophys J 83: 1074–1081
4. Iwamoto H, Inoue K, Yagi N (2006) Evolution of long-range myofibrillar crystallinity in insect flight muscle as examined by X-ray cryomicrodiffraction. Proc Biol Sci 273: 677–685
5. Sachs, G., Traugott, J., Nesterova, A. P., Dell'Omo, G., Kümmeth, F., Heidrich, W., ... & Bonadonna, F. (2012). Flying at no mechanical energy cost: disclosing the secret of wandering albatrosses.
6. Stalmaster, M. V., & Gessaman, J. A. (1984). Ecological energetics and foraging behavior of overwintering bald eagles. _Ecological Monographs_, _54_(4), 407-428.
7. https://www.serebii.net/pokemon/type/flying/
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Song credits: Music by Gregor Quendel from Pixabay
Logo design: Austin Ashbaugh, Chase Ashbaugh, Xander Allen
