Cryptoprocta spelea, the giant fossa, is an extinct species from Madagascar in the family Eupleridae. Most closely related to the mongooses, the family includes all of Madagascar's carnivorans. The giant fossa was first described in 1902, and in 1935 was recognized as a separate species from its closest relative, the living fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox). Apart from its size, C. spelea was similar to the fossa. When and how C. spelea became extinct is unknown, and there is some anecdotal evidence of more than one surviving species. The species is known from subfossil bones found in a variety of caves in northern, western, southern, and central Madagascar. In some sites, it occurs with remains of C. ferox, but there is no evidence that the two lived in the same places at the same time. C. spelea would have been able to prey on larger animals than its smaller relative could have, including the recently extinct giant lemurs.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptoprocta_spelea

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1937:

Led by the United Kingdom and France, nine nations met at the Nyon Conference to address international piracy in the Mediterranean Sea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyon_Conference

1960:

Running barefoot in the marathon event at the Rome Olympics, Abebe Bikila became the first athlete from sub-Saharan Africa to win an Olympic gold medal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abebe_Bikila

2000:

British forces freed soldiers and civilians who had been held captive by the militant group the West Side Boys, contributing to the end of the Sierra Leone Civil War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Barras

2008:

CERN's Large Hadron Collider (section pictured), the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator, first began operations beneath the France–Switzerland border. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

atiptoe: 1. On tiptoe; on the tips of one's toes in order to move quietly or to stand taller. 2. (figuratively) 3. Quietly, and little by little. 4. Without retreating from adversity, confrontation, or danger; standing tall; bravely, proudly, unyieldingly. 5. In a state of anticipation; keenly awaiting. 6. On tiptoe; moving or standing on the tips of one's toes. 7. (figuratively) In a state of anticipation; keenly awaiting. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/atiptoe

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

In a little over a week's time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example. On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express. And to my darling mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May "flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."   --Charles III https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_III