Skip to main content
71%

71%

By 71 percent

Underwater science podcast which dives into the latest aquatic themed research, hosted by biologists Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker. For anyone who's interested in science and nature!
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Episode 13: The skin I swim in

71%Mar 13, 2022

00:00
32:06
Episode 13: The skin I swim in

Episode 13: The skin I swim in

Top o' the ocean to ya!

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Helm (2021). The mysterious ecosystem at the ocean's surface. Plos Biology

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The introduction theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ. Background music is "Fluid" by Wataboi.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Mar 13, 202232:06
Episode 12: Farewell to 2021 + 1 year anniversary!

Episode 12: Farewell to 2021 + 1 year anniversary!

Ben and Laura chat about the first year of podcasting, their scientific backgrounds, and Wham!.

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The introduction theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ. Background music is "Fluid" by Wataboi.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Dec 21, 202137:35
Episode 11: Sex, drugs, rock & roll and... eels?

Episode 11: Sex, drugs, rock & roll and... eels?

Ever wonder about the birds and the eels? 

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Aberg et al. (2022) The environmental release and ecosystem risks of illicit drugs during Glastonbury Festival. Environmental Research

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The introduction theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ. Background music is "Fluid" by Wataboi.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Dec 06, 202132:30
Halloween Spooktacular 2021

Halloween Spooktacular 2021

Goblins and zombies run riot in this Halloween edition of 71%

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker 

References: Nakaya et al. (2016). Slingshot feeding of the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni (Pisces: Lamniformes: Mitsukurinidae). Scientific Reports. Thawing of permafrost may disturb historic cattle burial grounds in East Siberia. Global Health Action

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The introduction theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ. Background music is "Phantom in the Organ" and "Ghost Stories" both by Steve Oxen. 

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com). 

Oct 29, 202137:24
Interview 3: Seagrass! with Benjamin Jones

Interview 3: Seagrass! with Benjamin Jones

Welcome to Season 2 of 71%! 

We're excited to be back with more aquatic science and fun times, so much that we brought a guest! We had a very nice chat with Benjamin Jones, he's a seagrass specialist and he's going to make you wanna get out and go snorkelling, so be prepared!

Guest: Benjamin Jones

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Sep 02, 202143:06
Episode 10: Controversea

Episode 10: Controversea

Ben and Laura review the documentary "Seaspiracy". No shell left unturned! 

Index: Introduction: 00:00:17; Theme 1 (Sustainability) - 00:05:30; Theme 2 (Responsibility) - 00:31:10; Theme 3 (Humanity) - 00:57:00;  Theme 4: (Morality) - 01:48:55 

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Fisheries scientist's review of the documentary; Hilborn et al., (2020) Effective fisheries management instrumental in improving fish stock status, PNAS; Oceana (NGO) statement; Sustainability label (MSC); Guardian article about misonformation; Impakter article about misinformation; Podcast Speak Up for The Ocean Blue; Bottom-trawling debate; NGO’s Back to the Source Action Plan

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Jun 09, 202102:13:10
Interview 2: Mixotrophs! Dr. Suzana Leles

Interview 2: Mixotrophs! Dr. Suzana Leles

Our second guest talks about her super interesting research with plankton, mixotrophs, oceanography and much more!

Guest: Dr Suzana Leles

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Apr 07, 202134:48
Episode 9: Rottin' in the river

Episode 9: Rottin' in the river

What is the connection between rocks and decomposition? We look at a study on restoration of river habitats and its role in ecosystem functioning.   

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Frainer et al (2018) Enhanced ecosystem functioning following stream restoration: The roles of habitat heterogeneity and invertebrate species traits. J Appl Ecol

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Mar 25, 202135:03
Episode 8: Welcome... to Aquatic Park

Episode 8: Welcome... to Aquatic Park

Is there an aquatic dinosaur? Let's find out! 

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Beevor et al. (2021) Taphonomic evidence supports an aquatic lifestyle for Spinosaurus. Cretaceous Research

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Feb 27, 202136:42
Interview 1: Fish Sex! with Dr. Waldir Berbel-Filho

Interview 1: Fish Sex! with Dr. Waldir Berbel-Filho

Our first guest talks about his super interesting research with livebearing fish, sexual biology, evolution, and much more!  

Guest: Dr Waldir M. Berbel-Filho

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Feb 16, 202143:52
Episode 7: Not good news atoll

Episode 7: Not good news atoll

Laura shares a study on the consequences of climate change to atoll islands. Contains sad news and nervous laughs.

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Storlazzi CD, et al. (2018) Most atolls will be uninhabitable by the mid-21st century because of sea-level rise exacerbating wave-driven flooding. Sci Adv.

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Feb 09, 202133:30
Episode 6: I swim, therefore I am

Episode 6: I swim, therefore I am

... or am I? Ben and Laura each present a side to a study on mirror self-recognition in fish. 

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Kohda et al. (2019) If a fish can pass the mark test, what are the implications for consciousness and self-awareness testing in animals? PLoS Biol. Frans de Waal (2019) Fish, mirrors, and a gradualist perspective on self-awareness. PLoS Biol. Video link

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Jan 26, 202148:13
Episode 5: Sex and the squiddy

Episode 5: Sex and the squiddy

Ben and Laura talk about same-sex sexual behaviour in squids.

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Henk‑Jan T. Hoving et al (2019) Same‑sex sexual behaviour in an oceanic ommastrephid squid, Dosidicus gigas (Humboldt squid) Marine Biology

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Jan 08, 202135:17
Episode 4: Heavy metal cocktail

Episode 4: Heavy metal cocktail

We talk about Mercury contamination in an important Amazon river. 

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Kasper et al. (2018) Mercury in Black-Waters of the Amazon. In book: Igapó (Black-water flooded forests) of the Amazon Basin. Springer

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Dec 31, 202022:24
Episode 3: Ice floe, nowhere to go

Episode 3: Ice floe, nowhere to go

Is climate change affecting human interaction with polar bears? 

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Wilder et al. (2017) Polar bear attacks on humans: Implications of a changing climate. Wildlife Society Bulletin

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Dec 24, 202034:31
Episode 2: Falling death

Episode 2: Falling death

On the second episode of 71%, we'll dive deep into the science of marine snow.

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Lundgreen et al (2019) Eukaryotic and cyanobacterial communities associated with marine snow particles in the oligotrophic Sargasso Sea. Sci Reports

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).

Dec 18, 202031:29
Episode 1: Let's start in the Sahara!

Episode 1: Let's start in the Sahara!

On the first episode of 71%, we travel through time to explore the science (and mysticism) behind a very cool freshwater animal.

Hosts: Dr Laura Cappelatti and Dr Ben Whittaker

References: Hekkala et al (2020) The secrets of Sobek – A crocodile mummy mitogenome from ancient Egypt. Journal of Archaeological Science

Credits: This episode was edited in Audacity and is hosted by Anchor. The main theme is "Big Gay Waterfight" by Plushgoolash and the soundscape is "Stream, Water" by InspectorJ.

Contact: Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or contact us by email (71percent.pod at gmail.com).


Dec 17, 202035:02