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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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