Psittacosaurus is a genus of psittacosaurid ceratopsian dinosaur from
the Early Cretaceous Period of what is now Asia, about 130 to
100Â million years ago. It is notable for being the most species-rich
dinosaur genus. Nine to eleven species are recognized from fossils found
in different regions of modern-day China, Mongolia and Russia, with a
possible additional species from Thailand. All species of Psittacosaurus
were gazelle-sized bipedal herbivores characterized by a high, powerful
beak on the upper jaw. At least one species had long, quill-like
structures on its tail and lower back, possibly serving a display
function. Psittacosaurus is not as familiar to the general public as its
distant relative Triceratops but it is one of the most completely known
dinosaur genera. Fossils of over 400 individuals have been collected so
far, including many complete skeletons. Most different age classes are
represented, from hatchling through to adult, which has allowed several
detailed studies of Psittacosaurus growth rates and reproductive
biology. The abundance of this dinosaur in the fossil record has led to
its use as an index fossil for Early Cretaceous sediments of central
Asia.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psittacosaurus>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1558:
Francis, Duke of Guise (pictured), retook Calais, England's
last continental possession, for France.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calais>
1785:
Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries
became the first to cross the English Channel by air, in a balloon.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Channel>
1948:
Air National Guard pilot Thomas Mantell fatally crashed his
P-51 Mustang while in pursuit of a UFO near Fort Knox, Kentucky.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantell_UFO_incident>
1993:
The Fourth Republic of Ghana was inaugurated with Jerry
Rawlings as its president.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Ghana>
2007:
Newly appointed Archbishop of Warsaw Stanisław Wielgus
resigned amid allegations that he collaborated with the Polish communist
government's secret police.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanis%C5%82aw_Wielgus>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
burgess:
1. An inhabitant of a borough with full rights; a citizen.
2. (historical) A town magistrate.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/burgess>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The whole country is full of enterprise. Our common schools are
diffusing intelligence among the people and our industry is fast
accumulating the comforts and luxuries of life. ... It is not strange,
however much it may be regretted, that such an exuberance of enterprise
should cause some individuals to mistake change for progress and the
invasion of the rights of others for national prowess and glory.
--Millard Fillmore
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Millard_Fillmore>