Podcasts

Futureproof Extra: The Eight-Sided Robin's Egg

In the natural world, mimicry can be a very useful trait - one that might serve any number of purposes. It is so ubiquitous, and seen in so many species, that animals have to be quite discerning when trying to weed out a pretender. But it can be pretty hard even for animals who are constantly targeted - like Robins, and their beautiful blue eggs. But how sensitive are they to foreign invaders?  Dr Mark Hauber, Professor of Host-Parasite Interactions in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign joins to discuss. Listen and subscribe to Futureproof with Jonathan McCrea on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'. see more