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>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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