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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

sunstead: (rare) A solstice. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sunstead

___________________________ 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