Thomasomys ucucha is a rodent in the family Cricetidae. Found only in the Cordillera Oriental mountain range of Ecuador (map shown), it is known from forests and grasslands from 3,380 to 3,720 meters (11,090 to 12,200 ft) above sea level. It may share its habitat with seven other species of Thomasomys. First collected in 1903 and formally described as a new species in 2003, T. ucucha most closely resembles the woodland Oldfield mouse, which occurs further to the north. Medium-sized, dark- furred, and long-tailed, T. ucucha can be distinguished from other species of Thomasomys by its large, broad, procumbent upper incisors. Head-and-body length is 94 to 119 mm (3.7 to 4.7 in), and body mass is 24 to 46 grams (0.85 to 1.62 oz). The front part of the skull is flat, short, and broad. The incisive foramina, openings at the front of the palate, are short, and the palate itself is broad and smooth. It is listed as a vulnerable species due to the threat of habitat destruction.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1607:

San Agustin Church in Manila, the oldest extant church in the Philippines, was completed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Agustin_Church_%28Manila%29

1972:

The French newspaper L'Aurore revealed that the former Nazi SS officer Klaus Barbie, the "Butcher of Lyon", had been found to be living in Peru. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaus_Barbie

1996:

A tank barge and a tug grounded on a beach in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, U.S., spilling an estimated 828,000 US gallons (3,130,000 l) of home heating oil. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Cape_oil_spill

2007:

A four-man team, using only skis and kites, completed a 1,093-mile (1,759 km) trek to reach the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility for the first time since 1967, and for the first time ever without mechanical assistance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_of_Inaccessibility_%28Antarctic_research_station%29

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

gumption: 1. (Britain) Common sense, initiative, resourcefulness. 2. (US) Boldness of enterprise; aggressiveness or initiative. 3. (US) Energy of body and mind, enthusiasm. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gumption

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Through all time, so far as history informs us, wherever mankind have attempted to live in peace with each other, both the natural instincts, and the collective wisdom of the human race, have acknowledged and prescribed, as an indispensable condition, obedience to this one only universal obligation: viz., that each should live honestly towards every other. The ancient maxim makes the sum of a man’s legal duty to his fellow men to be simply this: " To live honestly, to hurt no one, to give to every one his due." This entire maxim is really expressed in the single words, to live honestly; since to live honestly is to hurt no one, and give to every one his due.   --Lysander Spooner https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Lysander_Spooner