Nothomyrmecia, the dinosaur ant, has the most primitive body structure among all living ants. First described by the entomologist John S. Clark in 1934, the genus's rediscovery in Poochera, South Australia, in 1977 attracted scientists from around the world. It nests in old-growth mallee and Eucalyptus woodlands. A medium-sized ant, Nothomyrmecia macrops measures 9.7–11 mm (0.38–0.43 in). Mature colonies are very small, with only 50 to 100 individuals. Workers are nocturnal, solitary foragers, collecting arthropod prey and sweet substances such as honeydew. The ants rely on their vision to navigate; there is no evidence that they use chemicals to help them forage. The queen produces just one generation of ants each year, and initially joins the workers in foraging. Colder temperatures aid the ants by inhibiting their competitors and predators, and climate change poses a threat. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the genus as critically endangered.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1791:

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights

1943:

World War II: American and Australian forces began the Battle of Arawe as a diversion before a larger landing at Cape Gloucester on New Britain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arawe

1970:

The Soviet spacecraft Venera 7 (descent vehicle pictured) touched down on the surface of Venus, becoming the first spacecraft to land on another planet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venera_7

2013:

The South Sudanese Civil War began when three opposition leaders voted to boycott the meeting of the National Liberation Council in Juba. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sudanese_Civil_War

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

sinew: 1. (anatomy) A cord or tendon of the body. 2. A cord or string, particularly (music) as of a musical instrument. 3. (figuratively) muscular power, muscle; nerve, nervous energy; vigor, vigorous strength. 4. (figuratively, often in the plural) That which gives strength or in which strength consists; a supporting factor or member; mainstay. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sinew

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The deepest pleasure in science comes from finding an instantiation, a home, for some deeply felt, deeply held image.   --Wolfgang Pauli https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Pauli