The American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) is a smooth-skinned ray- finned freshwater fish that is the only living species of the paddlefish family. The fish is often considered a relict species as it retains some morphological traits of its early ancestors, including a mostly cartilaginous skeleton and a paddle-shaped rostrum extending from its cranium for roughly one-third its body length. It is also considered a highly derived fish due to its novel adaptations, such as filter feeding. The planktivorous fish averages 5 ft (1.5 m) in length, and has a heterocercal tail fin resembling that of sharks. It is native to the Mississippi River basin, with a range extending to the Great Lakes, but is now considered vulnerable due to overfishing, poaching, habitat destruction, and pollution, and its naturally occurring populations have died off in most of its peripheral range, including New York and Pennsylvania.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1891:

Chilean Civil War: The armored frigate Blanco Encalada was sunk at the Battle of Caldera Bay, the first ironclad warship lost to a self- propelled torpedo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Caldera_Bay

1927:

Cardiff City defeated Arsenal 1–0 in the FA Cup Final (match programme pictured), the only time the FA Cup has been won by a non- English team. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1927_FA_Cup_Final

1942:

Second World War: In retaliation for the Royal Air Force's bombing of Lübeck, the Luftwaffe began a series of air raids across England, beginning with Exeter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baedeker_Blitz

2019:

A landslide triggered the collapse of a jade mine in Hpakant, Myanmar, resulting in six confirmed deaths and presumed dozens more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2019_Hpakant_jade_mine_collapse

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

Gramarye: (literary, Arthurian, rare) The island of Britain. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Gramarye

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Our work to date has detailed a horror story of violations perpetrated against civilians. First and foremost, this senseless war must stop. But as the fighting shows no sign of abating, it is vital that all parties to the conflict give clear instructions to their combatants to strictly respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. … This means distinguishing between civilian and military objects. It means not targeting or deliberately killing civilians. It means not committing sexual violence. People, including prisoners of war, must not be tortured. Civilians, prisoners and others hors de combat must be treated humanely. … Those in command of armed forces must make it clear to their fighters that anyone found to have been involved in such violations will be prosecuted and held accountable.   --Michelle Bachelet https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michelle_Bachelet