Catopsbaatar was a rodent-like mammal in the order Multituberculata that
lived in what is now Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous epoch, about
72 million years ago. The first fossils were collected in the early
1970s, and the species received its own genus (Catopsbaatar, Greek and
Mongolian for 'visible hero') in 1994. Five skulls, one molar, and one
skeleton with a skull are known. The skull of Catopsbaatar was up to
70 mm (2.8 in) long, heavy-set and wide, with the zygomatic arches
strongly expanded to the sides. The ankles had spurs like those of the
male platypus and echidna, but apparently without the platypus's venom
canal. The spurs of Catopsbaatar and other Mesozoic mammals may have
been used for protection against theropod dinosaurs and other predators.
Like other members of its order, this species probably gave live birth,
and the presence of hair indicates it was warmblooded. Its fossils were
found in the Red Beds of Hermiin Tsav and the Barun Goyot Formation in
Mongolia.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catopsbaatar>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1616:
The Treaty of Loudun was signed, ending a war that originally
began as a power struggle for the French throne.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Loudun>
1920:
Russian Civil War: Relying on Red Army troops in neighboring
Azerbaijan, the Bolsheviks attempted to stage a coup d'etat in Georgia.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1920_Georgian_coup_attempt>
1945:
Second World War: The German ocean liner Cap Arcona, afloat in
the Bay of Lübeck with thousands of concentration camp survivors on
board, was attacked and sunk by the Royal Air Force.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Cap_Arcona>
1960:
The Off-Broadway show The Fantasticks premiered, eventually
becoming the world's longest-running musical, with 17,162 performances
across 42 years.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fantasticks>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
legman:
1. (originally US) A person hired to carrying out errands or (often)
menial tasks, frequently requiring travel from place to place; an errand
boy or errand girl, a runner.
2. (originally US, journalism) A reporter who frequently travels to
conduct research, interview witnesses, etc.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/legman>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
A prince who is not wise himself will never take good advice.
--Niccolò Machiavelli
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_Machiavelli>