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Meet the Trinidadian Guppy!

Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are small, prolific freshwater fish native to Trinidad, famous as a model for rapid, evolution-in-action studies due to their adaptation to high- and low-predation environments

Pondering poecilids & placentas, with Dr. David Reznick By Clayton Glasgow

Read the full blog on our substack 📖

#science #sciencecommunication #sciencefunding #biology #evolution #evolutionarybiology #sciencepodcast

Image of a quote that says "Herein arises the challenge with the generic definition of placenta mentioned above. If a placenta is simply any “intimate integration of maternal and embryonic tissue,” then “by that definition, all Poeciliids are placental."

Clayton Glasgow writes about David's research and how Poeciliidae, the family that includes guppies, complicate the common understanding of the placenta.

Illustrated image of guppies with words overlaid saying "Pondering poecilids & placentas, with Dr. David Reznick By Clayton Glasgow"

Read the newest Big Biology blog based on our conversation with Dr. David Reznick, Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of California, Riverside @ucriverside.bsky.social

Evolution at the speed of life (Ep 145) What are eco‑evolutionary dynamics and how can we study them in the wild?

Hear more from David about this fascinating study system in our most recent episode “Evolution at the speed of life” 🎧️

#science #scicomm #biology #sciencecommunication #bigbiology #evolution #evolutionarybiology

As David explains, these “high predation” and “low predation” guppies are distinct in many ways having to do with their life history. However, the main driver of these changes is density dependent selection, not the difference in predation in these sites. 🔄

Our recent guest David Reznick talks about the Trinidadian guppy system that he’s studied for most of his career. As part of this research system, guppies from one site with a high and diverse amounts of predators are transplanted into a site with other guppies where most predators are excluded. 🐟 🐟

Meet our most recent guest, David Reznick.

#science #scicomm #sciencecommunication #podcast
#sciencepodcast #bigbiology #evolution #evolutionarybiology

Evolution at the speed of life (Ep 145) What are eco‑evolutionary dynamics and how can we study them in the wild?

Episode 145 "Evolution at the speed of life" is out now!

In this episode, David Reznick, talks about studying adaptation in the wild, eco-evolutionary dynamics, and placental evolution in live-bearing fish.

The African golden cat is one of Africa’s most elusive predators.

Thanks to conservationists like Mwezi Mugerwa, we’re finally starting to understand consistent documentation of how they live.

Heart of gold (Ep 144) How are camera traps used in the conservation of cryptic species such as the African golden cat?

Learn more about the community-based conservation of the African golden cat by listening to our episode “Heart of gold” 🐱

#science #scicomm #biology #sciencecommunication #bigbiology

Communities were already conservationists, caring for the forest for generations. So when creating a conservation organization called Embaka, Mwezi decided to make a change. He involved the community and created projects that meet the needs of people in the community and support conservation. 🌟

In our latest episode, guest Mwezi Mugerwa talks about why the communities living near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park didn’t initially trust conservatio. These communities saw people coming to the forest for the first time, cutting off their access, and saying it was in the name of “conservation”

Community-based conservation to protect Africa’s rarest cat, with Mwezi Mugerwa By Clayton Glasgow

Learn more about how local communities conserve the African golden cat and how other projects like Afrikanity help connect people with nature in our most recent blog post 📖

#biology #science #scicomm #conservation #community #blog #sciencepodcast

In this clip from an Indianapolis Prize video, recent guest of Big Biology Mwezi "Badru" Mugerwa describes a conservation program to reduce bush meat hunting and help protect the African golden cat. 🐱

Pop Quiz 🌟

Test your knowledge!

To learn more about the African Golden Cat tune in to our newest episode!

#biology #science #scicomm #evolution #conservation

The African golden cat is one of central Africa’s most elusive predators, so rare that most sightings come from trail cameras!

In our newest episode, Mwezi Mugerwa talks conservation, elusive carnivores, and field research.

Photo credit: Indianapolis Conservation Prize and Sebastian Kennerknecht

Meet our most recent guest, Mwezi Mugerwa!

The Vital Question: The Chemistry of Early Life Listen now | Episode 49 re-release

This suggests what Art says at the beginning, that if the emergence of life were to happen again, a similar amino acid code may emerge as well. 🧫

Hear more in our recent re-release “The Vital Question: The Chemistry of Early Life” 🎧

#science #scicomm #sciencecommunication #biology #bigbiology

Is the structure of amino acid codes like RNA completely arbitrary? 🧬

Biochemist and Author of “The Vital Question”, Nick Lane says probably not. He suggests that the physical chemistry of amino acids may be behind the structure of the code.

A great turnout for #SICB2026’ s PAC

Multi-#Media Science #Communication Workshop

Sonke Johnsen, book author
@bigbiology.bsky.social ‘s
Lynn Martin and Cameron Ghalambor, podcast co-hosts
Virginia Gewin, #science #journalist
@oceanfilly.bsky.social , Youtube and social media creator

#SICB2026
What a PAC panel!
@bigbiology.bsky.social
@oceanfilly.bsky.social
@virginiagewin.bsky.social
Sonke Johnsen
talked #podcasting, #YouTube creation , #journalism & #book #writing

The workshop is on Monday, January 5 at 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM in room B110/111! @sicb.bsky.social @sicbjournals.bsky.social

Are you interested in SciComm and attending the SICB meetings in Portland? Check out the Multi-Media Science Communication Workshop! #SICB2026

Hosts Marty and Cam will be there to talk about the podcast and will have some Big Biology merch to give away! 🌟🎧

a woman wearing sunglasses and a hoodie is sitting in a crowd of people and making a swag sign . ALT: a woman wearing sunglasses and a hoodie is sitting in a crowd of people and making a swag sign .

Are you interested in SciComm and attending the SICB meetings in Portland? Check out the Multi-Media Science Communication Workshop on Monday, January 5 at 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM in room B110/111. @bigbiology.bsky.social will be there with swag to give away!

Kick off the new year with Big Biology!

This January we are turning back the clocks to episode 49 “The Vital Question: The Chemistry of Early Life” with Nick Lane.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
#bio #bigbiology #science

That’s a wrap! 2025 was a big year for the Big Biology community. Thank you to all our subscribers and guests for making 2025 a great year!

Give the gift of Big Biology this Christmas! Head to our substack to gift a subscription to a lucky someone!

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