The Primordial Soup Pot

The Fabulous Fungal Fiftieth: Health Kicks and Nutrients of the Lion's Mane Mushroom and the Greatest Prank in Mycological History

Join Rustin and Aaron for there fiftieth episode of the primordial soup pot. In this episode Rustin starts us off with the Lion's Mane Mushroom. Learn about this delicious fungi's future in the biomedical industry. Aaron follows with the Kew Garden's once rarest fungi on earth that remained unidentified for over a decade. SPOILER ALERT (it was actually a burnt golf ball)

A Saucy Joe Christmas: Red Crabs Raves of Christmas Island and the Biology of Everyone's Favorite Plant Parasite

Christmas time! Everyone hang up the tapeworms! Aaron starts us off with the breathtaking migration of the Christmas Island red crabs. Millions of these crabs migrate across Christmas Island yearly, covering the streets and beaches. learn about these crabs' role in the environment and the threats these species face today. Rustin follows with the biology of the beloved Mistletoe, a hemiparasite spread across the globe. Learn the mysterious origins of how this became a holiday decor classic.

Getting Sleepy: Hummingbird's Torpor and the Fish that lives in Acid and Sleeps through Wildfires

Hibernation! Rustin talks about hummingbirds' torpor, a state in which their body temp can drop over 50 degrees in a single day! Learn about how these hummingbirds use this mini-hibernation to survive wintery nights, Aaron follows with the salamanderfish, aka the great value "we have a lungfish at home" fish. Learn about the extreme lifestyle this rare fish lives in one of the most remote parts of Australia, and the adaptions that allow it to survive droughts.

Famous Animals: The Legend of Ol' Rip, the Limp Legged Lizard that Captivated a Nation and Clever Hans the Psychic Stallion (Get this Horse to a Casino STAT)

Research Animals (sort of)! Aaron starts off with the legend of Ol' Rip the Horny Toad. This lizard supposedly survived 30 years sealed inside a time capsule, and went on to tour the country drawing in thousands of spectators. Learn how the "animal whose fame is second only to the serpent from the Garden of Eden" made history and still lives on to this day. Rustin follows with Clever Hans, the Horse that could answer any question. Learn about the truth behind Han's genius and the impact it made on countless psychology studies.

Keystones Species: Runway Strips for Sea Urchins and the Deep Sea Shell Cracking Atlantic Wolffish

Keystone Species! Rustin starts by discussing the mysterious die-off of the long-spined sea urchins and their impact on the coral reefs of the Caribbean. Aaron lowkey fumbles his bit on the Atlantic wolffish, but it's okay cause we all had fun with it.