› added 3 months ago

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TIL that ctenophores (comb jellies) have been determined in 2023 to likely be the earliest branch of Animalia (earlier than sponges), after a chromosome study found they share many chromosomal features with non-animals. Thus, it might mean the ancestor to all animals looked similar to a comb jelly!

Read more news.berkeley.edu

via reddit.com

dDmVj TIL There is a mosque in Birmingham, England, built in 1988, that was originally named the President Saddam Hussein Mosque. Saddam Hussein had donated £2 million for its construction. In 2003, it was renamed the Jame Masjid Mosque in response to growing anti-Muslim sentiment after the 9/11 attacks.
vnvx TIL that electric cars and cabs were quite common in 1909, had a range of over 100 miles, had charging stations every few blocks in NY, were quite popular with women, and people would wait for an electric cab instead of taking a gasoline cab
6YYW TIL there are three “original” citrus fruits: the citron, the pomelo, and the mandarine. All other citrus fruits are hybrids.
J8Rk TIL it is 2006 in Ethiopia because their calendar has 13 months.
Y7D87 TIL: On July 1, 1942 the American submarine Sturgeon sank the Montevideo Maru that was transporting 1080 prisoners and civilians who were captured after the fall of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea.