Miniopterus aelleni is a bat in the genus Miniopterus found in the
Comoro Islands and Madagascar. It is a small, brown bat, with a forearm
length of 35 to 41 mm (1.4 to 1.6 in). The long tragus (a projection
in the outer ear) has a broad base and a blunt or rounded tip. The
uropatagium (tail membrane) is sparsely haired. The palate is flat and
there are distinct diastemata (gaps) between the upper canines and
premolars. Populations of this species were previously included in
Miniopterus manavi, but recent molecular studies revealed that M.
aelleni is a separate species and that Miniopterus is more species-rich
than previously thought. M. aelleni is known to live from 4 to 225 m
(13 to 738 ft) above sea level in northern and western Madagascar, at
1,100 m (3,600 ft) in northern Madagascar, and from 220 to 690 m (720
to 2,260 ft) on Anjouan in the nearby Comoros. On Madagascar,
M. aelleni has been found in forests and caves in karstic areas. The
specific name aelleni honors Professor Villy Aellen of the Natural
History Museum of Geneva.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniopterus_aelleni>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1769:
Having been soundly defeated in battle, the Qing dynasty agreed
to terms of truce, ending the Sino-Burmese War.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Burmese_War_(1765%E2%80%9369)>
1807:
In an effort to avoid engaging in the Napoleonic Wars, the
United States Congress passed the Embargo Act, forbidding American ships
from engaging in trade with foreign nations.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embargo_Act_of_1807>
1944:
World War II: US Army General Anthony McAuliffe responded to
the German ultimatum of surrender during the Battle of the Bulge with a
single word, "NUTS!"
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_McAuliffe>
1974:
Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli voted to become the
independent nation of the Comoros.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comoros>
1997:
Hussein Farrah Aidid relinquished the disputed title of
President of Somalia.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussein_Farrah_Aidid>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
sunstead:
(rare) A solstice.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sunstead>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
An equation has no meaning for me unless it expresses a thought of
GOD.
--Srinivasa Ramanujan
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Srinivasa_Ramanujan>