[The Ancient Origins of Dandruff: Connecting Dinosaurs to Modern Birds]-[The Dinosaur With Dandruff]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2018-08-27

📋 Summary

From Dinosaurs to Chickens: Uncovering the Evolutionary Link

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy and Guy Raz embark on an entertaining exploration of the evolutionary connection between prehistoric dinosaurs and modern-day birds. The conversation, sparked by an itchy scalp and a pet chicken named "Rexy," dives deep into the biological evidence that links the giants of the past to the feathered friends of today.

The Collagen Connection

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence discussed is the discovery of collagen in the fossilized leg bone of a 68-million-year-old T-Rex. Paleontologists from North Carolina State University compared this ancient protein to those found in living animals and discovered a direct match: the modern-day chicken. This finding reinforces the scientific consensus that birds are the direct descendants of dinosaurs, a "dinosaur dynasty" that spans millions of years.

Feathers and "Dino Fuzz"

Contrary to the popular image of scaly, thick-skinned monsters, the hosts explain that many dinosaurs were actually covered in feathers. Scientists have identified over 30 species of non-avian dinosaurs with plumage. Beyond full-grown feathers, some dinosaurs possessed fine, hair-like structures known as protofeathers, which would have looked like brightly colored "dino fuzz" covering their bodies.

The Oldest Case of Itchy Scalp: Dino Dandruff

The episode reaches a hilarious and informative climax when discussing the discovery of fossilized dinosaur feathers in China. Researcher Maria McNamara found tiny flecks of dino dandruff preserved on these 125-million-year-old fossils. This discovery is scientifically significant for two reasons:

Skin Shedding Patterns: It provides evidence that, unlike lizards or snakes that shed skin in large pieces, some dinosaurs shed their skin in tiny flakes, much like modern birds.
Absence of Corneocytes: The lack of corneocytes—a type of fat birds sweat out to cool down during flight—in the fossilized dandruff suggests that while these dinosaurs had feathers, they were likely flightless.

Conclusion

By bridging the gap between a simple case of dandruff and the complex history of prehistoric evolution, the hosts highlight how science can be found in the most unexpected places. Whether it is the "ferocious appetite" shared by a T-Rex and a chicken or the microscopic details found in a fossil, the link between the ancient world and our own is constantly being redefined by modern research. As Mindy and Guy Raz aptly demonstrate, even something as "gross" as dandruff can serve as a vital clue in understanding the grand, feathered history of our planet.

🎯Key Sentences

Looks like somebody needs to brush up on their dinosaurs.

Then why are you pretending like you don't?

I don't know what's gotten into me.

Cut it out before you've got nothing left.

I feel it in my bones.

Expand All

📝Key Phrases

music to your ears

get on with the show

brush up on

what's gotten into me

cut it out

Expand All

📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.

Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.

Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.

And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,

And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.

Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

Or study on the web version →