Chapter 4: Teeth Everywhere

I found this chapter the most enjoyable out of the few we have read so far. I was hooked from the beginning when Shubin was describing how teeth were an equalizer between animals of different sizes; for example, how smaller fish can feed on bigger fish if they have good teeth. It was interesting to read the specifics of how nature balances itself out.
I liked reading about Shubin's expeditions with Chuck and Bill, finding it funny that the process for them was so random and effortless and yielding fascinating results, while Shubin's process was organized and planned and yielding nothing. I was, as always, amazed at Shubin's description of his job, like how he was suddenly able to see every bone on the site after finding a tiny tooth; it kind of showed me how little discoveries could lead to dynamic results. Furthermore, I found it funny how they were able to find what they were looking for in the most unexpected place: volcanic rock.
I really liked how Shubin ended this chapter, claiming that all kinds of different organs in different bodies--teeth, feathers, and breasts--have the same developmental tools, further expressing his recurring theme of common origins between different beings.