Subfossil lemurs are primates from Madagascar, especially the extinct giant lemurs, represented by subfossils (partially fossilized remains) dating from nearly 26,000 to around 560 years ago. Almost all of these species, including the sloth lemurs, koala lemurs and monkey lemurs, were living around 2,000 years ago, when humans first arrived on the island. The extinct species are estimated to have ranged in size from slightly over 10 kg (22 lb) to roughly 160 kg (350 lb). The subfossil sites found around most of the island demonstrate that most giant lemurs had wide distributions. Like living lemurs, they had poor day vision and relatively small brains, and developed rapidly, but they relied less on leaping, and more on terrestrial locomotion, slow climbing, and suspension. Although no recent remains of giant lemurs have been found, oral traditions and reported recent sightings by Malagasy villagers suggest that there may be lingering populations or very recent extinctions.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1770:

British explorer James Cook and the crew of HMS Endeavour (replica pictured), the first European ship to land in eastern Australia, reached the coast of Botany Bay near present-day Sydney. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Endeavour

1910:

The Parliament of the United Kingdom passed the People's Budget, the first budget in British history with the expressed intent of redistributing wealth among the British public. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Budget

1968:

The controversial musical Hair, a product of the hippie counterculture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, opened at the Biltmore Theatre on Broadway, with its songs becoming anthems of the anti-Vietnam War movement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_(musical)

1992:

The acquittal of policemen who had beaten African-American motorist Rodney King sparked six days of civil unrest in Los Angeles, during which 63 people were killed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots

2015:

The ringleaders of the Bali Nine were executed in Indonesia for attempting to smuggle 8.3 kilograms (18 lb) of heroin to Australia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali_Nine

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

fraudulence: The condition of being fraudulent; deceitfulness. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fraudulence

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I look before me at my lighted candles, I don’t want to turn around and see with horror How quickly the dark line is lengthening, How quickly the candles multiply that have been put out.   --Constantine P. Cavafy https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Constantine_P._Cavafy