Ep. 17: If Not Living Fossil, Why Fossil Shaped? Artwork

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Ep. 17: If Not Living Fossil, Why Fossil Shaped?

May 26, 2026 • Bio-DIVE-rsity • Season 2 • Episode 7

0:00 | 1:05:32

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Through past and present, why, exactly, are horseshoe crabs shaped like a friend?

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Episode 17 - If Not Living Fossil, Why Fossil Shaped?
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Supplementary Material and External Links

Picture 1 – Geological and Morphological History of Horseshoe Crabs Across the Phanerozoic. Picture Credit: Bicknell and Pates, 2020

Full Paper: Pictorial Atlas of Fossil and Extant Horseshoe Crabs, With Focus on Xiphosurida

Picture 2 – Horseshoe Crab Eggs. Picture credit: USFWS. Image is public domain.

Video 1 – BABY HORSESHOE CRABS. Credit: USFWS

Episode Cover – Euproops danae, one of many fossil species of horseshoe crab. Picture is public domain.

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Full Show Notes, Including all Video, Picture, Music, and Sound Attributions, as well as all informational citations:
IfNotFossilWhyFossilShaped_ShowNotes.docx

This episode of the Bio-DIVE-rsity podcast was written and performed by Dane Whicker. Special thank yous to Dr. Mark Botton, Dr. Jane Brockmann, and Dr. Russell Bicknell, who were all interviewed and consulted for this episode, and whose voices are used with permission!

The Bio-DIVE-rsity Logo was created by Dane Whicker, using art by Ernst Haeckel. The art utilized is public domain.

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Official Statement on AI: Bio-DIVE-rsity does not use generative AI for the generation of any of its productions. While I acknowledge that some music and artwork was used in some promotional content when generative AI was new to the market, I believe strongly in the importance of artistic integrity and credit to human artists who make our experiences on this blue planet so much richer.