I’m thrilled that the evolutionary biologist Brian K. Hall has such great things to say about The Tangled Bank in a review for Choice, the leading review journal for academic librarians (subscriber link):

Those familiar with the books, newspaper and journal columns, and commentaries by Zimmer (e.g., Microcosm, CH, Sep’08, 46-0275; Soul Made Flesh, CH, Dec’04, 42-2220) will be delighted that he has turned his considerable writing skills to creating an accessible and superbly illustrated introduction to biological evolution. The best books on evolution are those that synthesize the processes of evolution (natural selection, mutation, the origin of variation, the role of development) with the patterns of evolution (the fossil record, phylogenetic trees, changes within and between species) and introduce readers to the major players and how they study evolution. Zimmer describes all these processes and patterns of evolution admirably, using his flair with language and substantial knowledge of biology–the latter aided by four scientific advisers, who have advised him well. Zimmer has a gift for finding just the right example to fascinate the reader, encouraging him or her to want to read on and learn more. The book is astoundingly well illustrated; it could serve as a coffee-table book as well as an up-to-date introduction to the changing ways in which evolution has been and is being studied. The inclusion of selected readings allows entry into the primary literature. A book to both browse and read in depth. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All libraries. — B. K. Hall, emeritus, Dalhousie University

Originally published June 30, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.

Zoologist Mike Dickison throws his hat into the dinosaur comedy ring (yes, dinosaur):

[Hat tip to the brother in Jersey]

Originally published June 30, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.

Here’s the best paleontology routine I’ve heard in the last…well, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a paleontology routine before. This guy knows his dinosaurs, cold! Just look at his contempt when an audience member shouts out “Pterosaur.” Warning: f-bombs away!

Thanks to Boing Boing

Update: Dan Telfer explains why the mistakes are part of the joke. Nota bene, fact checkers!

Originally published June 24, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.

36,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 is a big number. But that’s actually the number of microbes in the ocean. How on Earth do you comprehend that monstrous menagerie? In my new Meet the Scientist podcast, I talk to pioneering microbiologist Mitch Sogin about a major new project to census the sea’s microbial diversity. Check it out.

Originally published June 24, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.

Congratulations to my colleague across the sea, Ed Yong, for scoring first place in 3 Quark Daily’s science prize. Yours truly snagged second place for my post on the Neanderthal genome. And a toast of the morning coffee to Margaret Morgan for her post on the evolution of chloroplasts.

I see an interesting pattern here. My piece focused on signs of interbreeding between humans and Neanderthals. Ed wrote about gut bacteria picking up genes from marine bacteria as an adaptation for eating sushi. And Morgan wrote about how protozoans gobbled up photosynthetic bacteria and gave rise to plants and green slugs and other wonders. I wonder if the judge, Richard Dawkins, has horizontal gene transfer on his mind? From The Selfish Gene to The Slippery Gene?

Originally published June 21, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.