The rise and reign of the mammals - with Steve Brusatte

Journey back 325 million years with our mammalian forebears, who persevered in the shadow of the dinosaurs, survived the worst day in the history of Earth, and then rapidly diversified to claim the world as their own. Watch the Q&A here: • Q&A: The rise and reig...
Steve's book "The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us" is available to purchase now: geni.us/DyMef
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Steve, who was a consultant on 'Jurassic World: Dominion', reveals the new fossil finds and technologies that are allowing us to understand the evolution of mammals in unprecedented detail - from woolly mammoths; sabre-toothed tigers; and countless spectacular, but extinct, species; to the 6000+ species of mammals that rule the Earth today, including ourselves.
By doing so, Steve uncovers how one single species of mammal - humans - are affecting the world line no mammal before. And, if things continue at the current pace, more than half of all mammal species may succumb to extinction.
Now at the most perilous point in mammal history since our ancestors stared down the asteroid, this lecture will help build an understanding of our history, enabling us to make a better future.
This livestream was recorded by the Royal Institution on 21 June 2022.
0:00 Introduction and background to book
1:58 The origin story of mammals
8:00 Our distant relative the Dimetrodon
10:31 The mega volcanoes responsible for mass extinction
13:24 The age of dinosaurs and mammals
18:11 Fossils on the Isle of Skye
20:14 Feathered dinosaur fossils in China
24:44 The Asteroid
29:10 The mammals that survived the asteroid
34:55 The Eocene - the first recognisable mammals
43:07 The Oligocene meets Charles Darwin
48:40 The Australian rainforest and marsupials
50:13 The ice age
53:06 The human age
Steve Brusatte is a palaeontologist on the faculty of the School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh and is widely recognised as one of the leading palaeontologists of his generation.
Among Steve's particular research interests are the evolutionary transition between dinosaurs and birds and the rise of placental mammals. He is a noted specialist on the anatomy, genealogy and evolution of the carnivorous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor and was the science consultant for 'Jurassic World: Dominion', the latest film in the Jurassic Park franchise which was released in June 2022.
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[@iluvtacos1231]

Man, the enthusiasm he has is contagious

[@bigbadthesailor5173]

aside from loving the way the desk is banged in excitement, the simple, straightforward acknowledgement of students, collaborators, and native peoples is just great. thanks for a superb talk.

[@DungeonBricks]

Is charming seeing someone so invested in his lecture they start hitting the desk to bring a point home. That right there, is passion about a subjest, and I love it.

[@daniadejonghe4980]

Your description of the enormous richness and diversity of tiny mammals makes me think that the triassic and Cretaceous were a kind of laboratory/ workshop for the perfection of mammalian adaption... and that perhaps the very pressure of having to survive in the crevices, and having to do it for so long worked to the advantage of the mammalian class. So that when the dinosaurs disappeared the mammalians were ready and waiting to step into the light as it were.

[@elljorgo]

Nothing as changed... There were pressures then and there are still pressures now. Don't think that because there are no dinosaurs somehow it's paradise for mammals now. All are subject to their environmental pressures and will always be. That's how nature operates. Doesn't matter if 500 million years ago, 150 million years ago or now.

[@Rockzilla1122]

Early mammals experienced pressures that generally favor a group during mass extinction, such as generalist lifestyles, smaller body sizes, and subterranean lifestyles

[@maggiebrinkley4760]

Steve explains complex events so well for non-specialists - it's a real gift. I love his enthusiasm! His new book has gone straight onto the top of my Christmas list. Thanks, RI, for producing this fascinating lecture.

[@Myshcan]

Yes, he has a rare sense of narrative. If his books are like that, I'm sold.

[@madedgar]

These lectures are often the highlight of my day. Thank you!

[@kellyharrison5184]

Excellent and informative!

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

I really appreciate the attention to providing perspective for the audience in this presentation. My favourite example is probably the pause to let us realise how wild it is that we are currently living alongside the biggest animal ever.

[@Sol-Invictus]

We are the only species in the planet's history to do what we do. Don't dismiss animal intelligence but it's pretty crazy what we are. I'd be willing to bet that life is everywhere in the universe. I just don't think what we do is common. Evolution doesn't have goals, it's just having surviving offspring. Earth had complex life with nervous systems for 600 million years. It could have gone on that way until the sun boiled off the atmosphere. We are our family (all life's forms) best, maybe only chance to live beyond the sun's life expectancy. As little as people want to accept it we might be the first technological civilization in the universe. And we can see how easily we may end that beginning. We are within centuries of expanding beyond earth. Within known physics we could have the whole galaxy in just 5,000,000 years, less time than our with our last common ancestor with chimps. All our history is an instant. We don't get the scale of time. Nations, cultures just a blip compared to our species and we are so resent compared to even ants or bats. Keep learning only knowledge lifts us above nature. Only knowledge can save us from brutal existence of our animal brethren... Only wisdom can protect us from creating that natural brutality within our grand civilization. We are a global super organism and that's pretty cool. A daunting prospect but still pretty cool.

[@randallwehler1186]

This is one of the best videos I have seen on the ascent of the mammals. I like the academic level at which it was presented. It all ties together so well. The narration has a clear and enthusiastic voice tone which keeps the viewer excited. Thanks for conveying a summation of findings since the late 60's when I completed a historical geology course taught by Dr. Robert E. Sloan at the University of Minnesota. Your presentation led to me reminiscing about my fossil hunts with my early deceased brother in the wilds of Wyoming and South Dakota. I retain those collections in a cherished way.

[@daytonturner2388]

I completely agree with you Randall. It's the kind of presentation I've been looking for for years.

[@psycotria]

Technically, extant lifeforms DESCENDED from their ancestors.

[@dorcusmallorcus6450]

What a great presentation. Really interesting and well done.

[@majamannhard443]

I LOVED this omg. And I loved the punching of the table to underline how truly jawdropping all of this is

[@russellbrown7024]

I read this book - "The Rise and Riegn of the Mammals" - I loved it! It was a subject I had been interested in and this book was very thorough.

[@mathewfines8727]

Incredible presentation! Your enthusiasm is palpable, and your attitude is so positive! Thanks you so much!

[@chegeny]

Well-presented, informative lecture of the ascendency of mammals, with details not often discussed in other documentaries. The professor's passion brings palaeontology to life.

[@badcrab7494]

The R.i content deserves better audio quality

[@acanuck1679]

I have read both "The Rise and Reign of Mammals" and "The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs". This presentation was a great corollary to the former--thank you.

[@beth1072]

Absolutely lovely. I just downloaded the book on audible to hear the whole story.

[@oldcowbb]

52:59 i wonder if that is on purpose, but his camera placement is perfect

[@frogz]

haha

[@VIKASHSINGH-hf3kt]

what a remarkable session it was... i was lost in my mind about that lost world via his story about our ancient past. Thank you Steve Brusatte sir for sharing such a beautiful, tingling story with us

[@judith8161]

Thanks for distracting me from the ever changing, ever obnoxious symptoms of my current COVID infection. With all sorts of weird things going on in my body, I really need something to keep my mind off wondering what will be next. This is a fascinating topic, and honestly one I never quite thought about. Evolution to me is a miracle, though not one that I tend to explain with the existance of god. Nature in itself is mind blowing and overwhelmingly fantastic and beautiful, no need for a superior being to be in charge of all that ;-)

[@sastrykganti681]

EXCELLENT rendition, with no fluff!

[@juanpablosanchezaveleyra6454]

OMG this was better than the last jurassic park movies, no joke

[@harrietharlow9929]

This video has made my whole day. Thank you for posting!

[@johnrichardson7629]

I love these sorts of information intensive videos.

[@theobozikis8225]

Thank you for writing the book, and thank you also for this great video!

[@cjsmithdo]

Reading the book right now, it’s meaty, but he writes in such a entertaining style that I’m really enjoying it

[@hansweichselbaum2534]

This should be compulsory watching in all schools!

[@vivek_adi]

It was a very good walkthrough of evolution and our history on this planet.

[@yoreljm]

This was such an amazing story. Thanks.

[@dagenite1583]

This was a magnificent presentation, thank you.

[@harveytheparaglidingchaser7039]

This is a great lecture and so enthusiastically delivered. Thanks

[@chudleyflusher7132]

Wonderful lecture! Thank you.

[@freddyjosereginomontalvo4667]

I love this channel and its great content

[@robertshelton9881]

I really enjoyed the presentation, and I learned a lot.

[@catherineharrington8730]

Absolutely brilliant - thank you! I just bought the book :)

[@agentxyz]

He's a brilliant writer. I look forward to reading his new book

[@AtmoStk]

A most excellent lecture! However, I have one small request. The image of the professor covers up the text which indicates the time period. I realize that it may be a feature of the slides, rendering it inconvenient to change. Regardless, have the time period's name and duration visible at all times is a very helpful context marker.

[@szendrenko]

Marvelous presentation! Full of insights and tight science, but also presented to perfectly place our species in its global context. Keep writing and researching!!!

[@darrylhall7718]

Thanks and I'm almost completed with your book. I have enjoyed it as well as the first one.

[@Atlas_FPV]

Excellent presentation, summarising it in such a way that it was easy to follow and understand. Just fantastic, thank you.

[@ukaszbudzynski9113]

I found this lecture extremely interesting and very well presented. Can't wait to get the books. Thank You! :)

[@juanmigueloctaviano6736]

Brilliant! Worth several repeats.

[@catherinepowell1049]

Awesome lecture and fantastic book. read it more than once

[@mikesnyder1788]

I really enjoyed your book about dinosaurs so no doubt I will be reading your book about mammals. The Ashfall Fossil Beds in Nebraska are definitely worth a visit. My party of three traveled there a few years ago and the place is amazing. Very nice indoor facility and it is so cool to see college students at work as they discover all sorts of new fossils. Rhinos, people, rhinos!!!

[@charlottesimonin2551]

I've read both your books and found them engaging with adequate information to support your thesis.

[@GoogleIsTooInvasive]

Greetings from Chicago! Thank you for all of your research and thank you for an excellent lecture!

[@aminsareban6715]

Very well done! Appreciated

[@straighttalking2090]

Very interesting video which has helped me refine my understanding of evolution. Just one contention Steve if I may be so bold (will be honoured if you even read this!); You make it sound as though human beings are unique in developing consciousness 57:44 - now I am just a lay naturalist but I would say many mammals and birds display what appears to me to be "consciousness". I thought your narration was brilliant and made sincere by your obvious compasion. If you will forgive some nit picking the sound quality penetrated my consciousness here and there- you sounded like you were in a small wooden box which in a way was appropriate given the small box in the frame :) and the box itself obscured the text sometimes. Thanks for broadening my mind - shall be looking for more of your work.

[@steveedgar5191]

2/3rds through your book... Love the story of the helicopter pilot in Aus... Great stuff!

[@allanwrobel6607]

Just Brillent: Suscinct, keeps your interest, right level of detail - I'm subscribed. Keep them coming.

[@shawnparadise6504]

Very interesting lecture. He's a really good speaker. Thanks!

[@pikayell]

I'm in the midst of reading the book, so this was timely.

[@maureensurdez7841]

I enjoyed your dinosaur book. Keep up the great work.

[@rubberplantsandwich]

I've actually read the dinosaur book, who knew! Great book

[@robertgreen9150]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I WILL DEFINITY BUY YOUR BOOK!

[@seazenbones6945]

Wonderful, thank you.

[@nic4025]

This was awesome!

[@pablisimo666]

Thanks so much for this presentation.

[@robertberman5701]

Thanks for the excellent lecture. I read both of your books, they are very good indeed. Keep up the good work! Bob B

[@Life_42]

Thank you for sharing! I greatly appreciate this video! Greetings from Miami-Dade, South Florida!

[@darrenpardoe]

Thank you, that was quite a presentation.

[@alasdairwhyte6616]

your picture obscures some of the information. otherwise great :D

[@gordonj.wallis2826]

Excellent.

[@zoeydeu2261]

It's mind blowing that dinosaurs (our ancestors' predators) played a role in evolving our jaws, which became jaws that now eat the descendants of dinosaurs (chickens)! We went from rodent-like prey, to dominating the planet and being at the top of the food chain. Makes me wonder which class of animals will come next. Also humbles me when I see small rodents now

[@Dr.Ian-Plect]

And chickens are dinosaurs too.

[@tomjohn8733]

Fascinating, great lecture, really put thing into a logical perspective that connects life thru the eons…

[@kencory2476]

Humans did not evolve consciousness or working in groups. These traits were present long before we showed up. Despite Brusatte's obvious expertise, he continually oversteps the boundaries of what we know.

[@sundog486]

A great and interesting presentation, thank you. Book purchased!

[@MylesFCorcoran]

Thank you very much.

[@edwardallan197]

You can really see evolutions uneven yet effective journey!

[@teaburg]

How dare you call some of my ancestors 'weird looking'. 😜 Loved this presentation!

[@jboats9139]

This is excellent

[@aberdeenflyers7441]

Frikin awesome 🎉❤ I learned so much. Thank you 🎉🎉🎉

[@costrio]

An excellent presentation, IMO. I'd often wondered how life adapted after the impact? Very concise video.

[@bobbrown8155]

Excellent presentation. 👍🏻

[@julianlawrence-ball2279]

Very interesting. Thank you very much

[@stephen_pfrimmer]

Thanks!

[@matthewbonfield]

fascinating! thank you

[@EbbtideCheque]

Auto played to this. Very interesting 🦖

[@jennifer7685]

Thank you. My children are always asking about our Great Great Grandparents The Mice Creatures. This gives me a lot more answers to their questions.

[@jennifer7685]

Sinodonts sinodonts sinodonts… if I can just remember this word I’m claiming victory

[@cybersandoval]

The Todd Marshall conception art 🎨 illustrations are superb, wow, pardon my interruption, please continue

[@vincentanguoni8938]

This is as close as we can get to time travel...HG Wells! Bradbury...Jules Verne...the Jetsons!!! This is wonderful...grazzi!!!

[@johnaugsburger6192]

Thanks

[@darkpandemic5802]

super!

[@thomasschwarz1973]

You mentioned 10 years was a long time in your life. Then the last 5000 years seems to be big deal for humans' development. But when we go back 50,000 years we diregard the changes that occur in 5000 years e.g. 65,000-60,000 years ago. Similarly it would be interesting to explore what might have changed over 5000 years 1,500,000 years ago. Can you help with that?

[@Landrew0]

This is the most enlightening video I've seen in a long time. But I have a question: Can you not see during your presentation when your self-picture window has obscured what you are talking about?

[@vincentanguoni8938]

Excellent....just one thing...kinda short!!! How many million years was that?

[@chrislatchem1854]

Very interesting! Well presented too. Wonder about the evolution of say the grasses in parallel with grass eaters as a system? And predators as well, is that a thing?

[@raysalvatore1988]

Exciting and brilliant presentation! Your enthusiasm carries the information forward. Whales Are amazing! I am confused by your use of the word "hooves" where the animals have toes and claws.

[@angelica.218]

When I look at my own or another person’s belly button, I start think of mammals because that’s what mammals have. And even not being able to breathe underwater due to having lungs makes me think about it too.

[@Rico-Suave_]

Need to watch undistracted

[@Subfightr]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your good friend. He appears to be very young and healthy, if I may... What happened? Perhaps you could make a video about him, sharing your memories/experiences with him, keeping him alive in our hearts and mind ya know?

[@Subfightr]

I just realized this is not his channel and he will likely never see this...

[@TheRealStructurer]

Great video! I learned a lot and noticed I had some facts that needed updating 👍🏻 Here a few humble ideas of how to make it even better: - Audio quality. Could hear every word, but it was a bit "muddy". Time for a mic upgrade. - Picture in Picture: Nice to see you, keep that! But sometimes your face was in the way. Fade or relocate. - Video format: Good images and graphs. To look more up to date use widescreen format Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work 👍🏼 Subscribed!

[@MrAjmay1]

So basically, the old narrative of dinosaurs had to be killed off by a mass extinction before mammals could rise, could be flipped to say, synapsid stem-mammals had to be killed off by an even worse mass extinction before dinosaurs could rise. There is balance in this. This is the way.

[@jennifer7685]

Meanwhile in Australia, something … different was happening. This is the perfect description of Australia.

[@BrettSucks]

Seems like every talk at the royal institution involves someone selling their book.

[@Edruezzi]

I've read both books.

[@vincentanguoni8938]

When I was building my adobe casa at 3450 meters altitude in the Peruvian Andes, I came upon what looked like choral. It was choral! Along with fossilized shells the size of footballs!!

[@JMDinOKC]

Did the synapsids with “sails” have them because they were not fully homeothermic?

[@jimsykes6843]

36:40: "Mommy, I want a pony! Actually, I'd rather have a horse the size of a miniature poodle."

[@stefanlaskowski6660]

I've bought and read both books. I'd love to read your textbook on dinosaur paleobiology, but the price was a bit out of my budget.