Thomasomys ucucha is a rodent in the family Cricetidae. Found only in
the Cordillera Oriental mountain range of Ecuador (map shown), it is
known from forests and grasslands from 3,380 to 3,720 meters (11,090 to
12,200 ft) above sea level. It may share its habitat with seven other
species of Thomasomys. First collected in 1903 and formally described as
a new species in 2003, T. ucucha most closely resembles the woodland
Oldfield mouse, which occurs further to the north. Medium-sized, dark-
furred, and long-tailed, T. ucucha can be distinguished from other
species of Thomasomys by its large, broad, procumbent upper incisors.
Head-and-body length is 94 to 119 mm (3.7 to 4.7 in), and body mass is
24 to 46 grams (0.85 to 1.62 oz). The front part of the skull is flat,
short, and broad. The incisive foramina, openings at the front of the
palate, are short, and the palate itself is broad and smooth. It is
listed as a vulnerable species due to the threat of habitat destruction.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomasomys_ucucha>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1607:
San Agustin Church in Manila, the oldest extant church in the
Philippines, was completed.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Agustin_Church_%28Manila%29>
1972:
The French newspaper L'Aurore revealed that the former Nazi SS
officer Klaus Barbie, the "Butcher of Lyon", had been found to be living
in Peru.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaus_Barbie>
1996:
A tank barge and a tug grounded on a beach in South Kingstown,
Rhode Island, U.S., spilling an estimated 828,000 US gallons
(3,130,000 l) of home heating oil.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Cape_oil_spill>
2007:
A four-man team, using only skis and kites, completed a
1,093-mile (1,759 km) trek to reach the Southern Pole of
Inaccessibility for the first time since 1967, and for the first time
ever without mechanical assistance.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_of_Inaccessibility_%28Antarctic_research_station%29>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
gumption:
1. (Britain) Common sense, initiative, resourcefulness.
2. (US) Boldness of enterprise; aggressiveness or initiative.
3. (US) Energy of body and mind, enthusiasm.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gumption>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Through all time, so far as history informs us, wherever mankind
have attempted to live in peace with each other, both the natural
instincts, and the collective wisdom of the human race, have
acknowledged and prescribed, as an indispensable condition, obedience to
this one only universal obligation: viz., that each should live honestly
towards every other. The ancient maxim makes the sum of a man’s legal
duty to his fellow men to be simply this: " To live honestly, to hurt no
one, to give to every one his due." This entire maxim is really
expressed in the single words, to live honestly; since to live honestly
is to hurt no one, and give to every one his due.
--Lysander Spooner
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Lysander_Spooner>