Lions, New Tigers, and Bears, oh my: The 344th Evolutionary Lens with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying
Summary
In this episode, hosts discuss the discovery of a new Bolivian mountain cat species, the Tilkiyo, alongside topics on fat bears and mating frogs. They explore the phylogenetics of New World cats, explaining how the Tilkiyo was identified through genomic analysis of museum specimens and a rescued kitten. The conversation also covers the biology of hibernating bears, noting how females build fat reserves for gestation and lactation, before touching on frog behavior.
Topics discussed
Welcome, autumn equinox, and episode overview
Bear hibernation, delayed implantation, and resource buildup
Sponsor: Cowboy Colostrum for gut health
Etymology of 'cowboy' and transition to bears
Sponsor: Crowd Health community funding
Sponsor: Branch Basics non-toxic cleaning
Fall cleaning, local knowledge, and Bolivian context
Discovery of a new cat species and genomic evidence
Phylogenetics, systematics, and philosophy of science
Importance of maps and evolutionary relationships
Carnivora taxonomy: hyenas, dogs, and cats
New World cat lineages: Puma, Cheetah, Jaguar
Leopardus genus and the new Tilkayo species
Research details: genomes, museum samples, and authors
Evolutionary drivers: ocelot marginality and dwarfing
Distribution maps, parapatry, and species boundaries
Domestic cats vs. dogs: behavior and human perception
Wildlife as pets: raccoons, lemurs, and ethical concerns
Fat Bear Week: salmon runs, weight gain, and dominance
Frog breeding: noise, choice overload, and call length
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