The history of the taxonomy of lemurs dates back to 1758 when Carl
Linnaeus first classified them. Having undergone independent evolution
on Madagascar, lemurs have occupied niches filled elsewhere by other
mammals, and approximately 70 to 100 species and subspecies are
recognized today. They include the smallest primates in the world, and
once included some of the largest. Currently living lemur species are
divided into five families and 15 genera. Since the arrival of humans
around 2000 years ago, lemurs have become restricted to 10% of the
island, and many face extinction. The recent steep increase in species
numbers is due to improved genetic analysis, a push to encourage the
protection of isolated lemur populations, and the elevation of existing
subspecies to full species status. Concerns over lemur conservation have
also affected their taxonomy, since distinct species receive increased
conservation attention.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy_of_lemurs>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1935:
In an effort to stay out of the growing European conflict, the
United States passed the first of its Neutrality Acts.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrality_Acts_of_the_1930s>
1959:
A parcel bomb sent by Ngô Đình Nhu, younger brother and
chief adviser of President Ngô Đình Diệm of South Vietnam, failed
to kill Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ng%C3%B4_%C4%90%C3%ACnh_Nhu>
1969:
Approximately 150,000 people attended the Isle of Wight
Festival, which featured Bob Dylan in his first gig since 1966.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Wight_Festival_1969>
2016:
President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil was impeached and removed
from office.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilma_Rousseff>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
chantwell:
(chiefly Trinidad and Tobago, music) A (generally female) lead singer of
traditional cariso music, or of a calypso band.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chantwell>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
If education is always to be conceived along the same antiquated
lines of a mere transmission of knowledge, there is little to be hoped
from it in the bettering of man's future.
--Maria Montessori
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Maria_Montessori>