Apororhynchus is a genus of small, parasitic spiny-headed (or thorny- headed) worms, the only genus in the order Apororhynchida. A lack of features commonly found in Acanthocephala suggests an evolutionary branching from the other three orders of class Archiacanthocephala. The distinguishing features of this order are a highly enlarged proboscis containing small hooks, and differently structured musculature around this proboscis in its receptacle and receptacle protrusor. The genus contains six species that are distributed globally, being collected sporadically in Hawaii, Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. These worms exclusively parasitize birds by attaching themselves around the cloaca using their hooks and adhesives secreted from cement glands. The bird hosts are of different orders, including owls, waders, and passerines. Infection by an Apororhynchus species may cause enteritis and anemia.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1773:

On James Cook's second voyage, his ship HMS Resolution became the first vessel to cross the Antarctic Circle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_voyage_of_James_Cook

1920:

The Volstead Act went into effect, beginning the prohibition of alcohol in the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States

1945:

Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who had saved thousands of Jews from the Holocaust, was taken into Soviet custody during the Siege of Budapest and was never seen in public again. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Wallenberg

1948:

Indonesian National Revolution: The Renville Agreement between the Netherlands and Indonesian republicans was ratified, in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to resolve disputes arising from the Linggadjati Agreement of 1946. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renville_Agreement

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

snatch and run: An unsophisticated method of committing robbery by grabbing someone's property and attempting to flee with it. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/snatch_and_run

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don't matter, or like you don't have a place in our American story — because you do. And you have a right to be exactly who you are. But I also want to be very clear: This right isn't just handed to you. No, this right has to be earned every single day. You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms.   --Michelle Obama https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michelle_Obama