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Trichogenes claviger, the Caetés catfish, is a critically endangered species of pencil catfish native to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. It was discovered early in 2010 and scientifically described later that year. One of three species within the genus Trichogenes, it is restricted to an area of 16 km² (6.2 sq mi) in the Caetés forest, a mountainous area in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. When discovered, the rainforest in which it occurs was unprotected and threatened by deforestation. A private nature reserve has since been established, allowing visitors to see the fish in its habitat. A small fish, T. claviger is up to 50.8 mm (2.00 in) in length. A series of black dots runs along the side of the body, distinguishing it from related species. Males have a bony protrusion from the gill area (the opercular process) that is elongated and club-like, a feature that inspired the name of the species (claviger – 'club-bearing'). (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

Abeam view of Maria Rickmers in 1892

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In the news

Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad

Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so.
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A mass stabbing in Taipei, Taiwan, leaves four people dead, including the perpetrator.
Bangladeshi activist Osman Hadi is assassinated, triggering violent protests and arson.
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On this day

December 27

Radio City Music Hall

1657 – Citizens of New Netherland presented the Flushing Remonstrance to Peter Stuyvesant, the director general of the colonial province, requesting an exemption to his ban on Quaker worship.
1932 – New York City's Radio City Music Hall (pictured) opened with the world's largest auditorium at the time.
1985 – The body of murdered American primatologist Dian Fossey was discovered inside her cabin in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
2009 – During protests in Tehran against the recent presidential election, Iranian security forces opened fire on demonstrators.
2024 – Acting president and prime minister of South Korea Han Duck-soo was impeached by the National Assembly.

Bertha of Savoy (d. 1087)
Kjell Eriksson (b. 1975)
Timothée Chalamet (b. 1995)
Zou Heng (d. 2005)

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Today's featured picture

Nuptse is a mountain in the Khumbu region of the Mahalangur Himal, a part of the Nepalese Himalayas. It lies 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the southwest of Mount Everest. The main peak, Nuptse I, with an elevation of 7,861 metres (25,791 ft), was first climbed in 1961 by Dennis Davis and Sherpa Tashi. This photograph shows Nuptse from the west, as viewed from Kala Patthar.

Photograph credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg

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