Regina G. Barber

How did you all confirm?

Like what was the process in being like, yes, this is the first leech fossil, leech fossil?

So Karma, you were right.

Like, do you feel vindicated?

Like, in the end, it was a different fossil, but your suspicion of these things being leeches, you're right.

Daniel, what does this tell us about modern-day leeches, that now we have a fossil record?

I've been covering paleontology stories for a couple of years now.

And one of the things that always sticks with me is just how many fossils are just sitting around.

Daniel, I'm going to ask you first, like, how do you see the fossil record and like of many animals or anything kind of changing in the future with so much data not even looked at yet?

I love that.

I'm so glad I asked you that question.

Karma, what do you think?

Wow.

Thank you, Danielle.

Thank you, Karma, for coming to talk to me.

This has been amazing.

Oh, likewise.

This has been really fun.

This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and edited by showrunner Rebecca Ramirez.

Tyler Jones checked the facts, and Jimmy Keeley was the audio engineer.