User talk:Cwmhiraeth

/Archive 21

Beech Grove I

Saw your featured picture page, and nice write-up, and I added the image to its location page. Have you thought of creating an article for Beech Grove I? You can pretty much use most of the information from the featured picture itself. Never saw the painting before, and it's a beauty. Thanks. Randy Kryn (talk) 19:51, 1 January 2020 (UTC)

@Randy Kryn: Thanks. Actually I found it difficult to find much information about the picture, and any article I might have created would have been very stubby. However there are a number of featured pictures that were promoted years ago and that have never been used as "Picture of the Day" because they have no articles, or nothing but a stub, and I am trying to write articles for some of these. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 20:14, 1 January 2020 (UTC)

WikiCup

Hi and thanks for running the WikiCup! I didn't get a notification that it started, has it yet? Thank you. Puddleglum ^2.0 20:07, 2 January 2020 (UTC)

Prep 3 special occasion hook

Hi, I reserved a slot in Prep 3 for Template:Did you know nominations/Murder of Artemus Ogletree. Thanks, Yoninah (talk) 01:07, 3 January 2020 (UTC)

WAM 2019 Postcard

Dear Participants and Organizers,

Congratulations!

It's WAM's honor to have you all participated in Wikipedia Asian Month 2019, the fifth edition of WAM. Your achievements were fabulous, and all the articles you created make the world can know more about Asia in different languages! Here we, the WAM International team, would like to say thank you for your contribution also cheer for you that you are eligible for the postcard of Wikipedia Asian Month 2019. Please kindly fill the form, let the postcard can send to you asap!

Cheers!

Thank you and best regards,

Wikipedia Asian Month International Team --MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 08:16, 3 January 2020 (UTC)

About the Wikicup

So, if I create, edit or expand an article, I automatically gain points or do I need to say I edited that article? Davi Moura Araújo 475 (talk) 11:44, 3 January 2020 (UTC)

@Davi Moura Araújo 475: If you create or expand an article and it qualifies for DYK, then you can claim the points on your submissions page when the article appears on the main page. I see you have created "State Park of The Dunes ( Parque Estadual das Dunas )" as a draft. It is about 400 bytes in length at the moment and needs to be at least 1500 bytes in order to qualify for DYK. You will then need to nominate it at DYK within seven days of moving it into mainspace. Another way of achieving a DYK is expanding an existing short stub, as I did in Amazônia National Park, then nominating it for DYK. There are other ways of scoring points in the WikiCup, but DYK is probably the easiest for a beginner. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 17:13, 3 January 2020 (UTC)

December 2019 Tree of Life Newsletter

December 2019—Issue 009

Tree of Life

Welcome to the Tree of Life newsletter!

Newly recognized content

Apororhynchus by Mattximus Eastern green mamba by Casliber Christmas Island flying fox by Dunkleosteus77, reviewed by Enwebb Devils Hole pupfish by Enwebb, reviewed by Jens Lallensack Castorocauda by Dunkleosteus77, reviewed by SUM1 Ocelot by Sainsf, reviewed by Dunkleosteus77 Snakefly by Chiswick Chap and Cwmhiraeth, reviewed by Sainsf

Newly nominated content

Cactus wren by CaptainEek Drosophila mettleri by Jillian Shah Boring Billion by Dunkleosteus77 Calliphora vomitoria by Y.shiuan Pubal by Samotny Wędrowiec Poinsettia by Enwebb Steller's sea ape by Dunkleosteus77 Christmas darter by Enwebb and Cwmhiraeth Egyptian fruit bat by Enwebb and Asanc445 Paranthropus by Dunkleosteus77 Segnosaurus by FunkMonk Argentinosaurus Slate Weasel

News at a Glance

• On December 10th, the IUCN updated 8,225 species assessments, including 6,722 that were added to the list for the first time. All eucalypt species have officially been evaluated by the IUCN with this update. Several birds were newly declared extinct (poʻouli, cryptic treehunter, Alagoas foliage-gleaner) and one declared extinct in the wild (Spix's macaw). The official press release is here.
• Sign-ups are open for the 2020 WikiCup, a months-long competition where editors score points by improving articles. Sign-ups are open through 31 January.
• The Winter Holidays Contest is wrapping up. Christmas Island flying fox was promoted to GA, and there are several pending GANs (Christmas darter, poinsettia, and Christmas imperial pigeon). Images were added to 36 articles that were previously lacking them, and 125 articles were converted from taxoboxes to speciesboxes.
• The Tree of Life was featured in The Signpost as a WikiProject report, eight years after it was last featured. This marked the return of the WikiProject report after a year hiatus.

Editor Spotlight: Plantdrew

We're joined this month by long-time editor Plantdrew, who's currently engaged in streamlining the taxonomic structure of Wikipedia articles via the automated taxobox system.

How did you become a Wikipedian? What are your particular interests (besides the obvious of "plants")?

My first job out of school in was working for ITIS; entering new species, mostly fish. At that time, ITIS was the single largest taxonomic database, and I was enthusiastic about the prospects for the eventual completion of a comprehensive global taxonomic resource. I moved on to other things, and fews years later I became aware of Wikipedia and eventually Wikispecies. At that time (~2007), It seemed to me that Wikispecies might be the best prospect for a comprehensive global taxonomic resource. ITIS had a team of 5 data developers when I worked there, while Wikispecies had a substantially larger editor base and was growing faster than ITIS (although still smaller than ITIS). I did a little bit of editing at Wikispecies at that point, but stopped after being frustrated that a project that easily could have been a structured database had little consensus for any particular standards or structures.

As Wikipedia grew, I found myself using it more and more as a reference. Eventually I started making occasional editing as an IP to fix errors I noticed. I finally registered an account when I needed to create an article; there was an article purportedly about an insect genus, but all the information pertained to a particular species, so I created an article for the species and moved information there. I started finding more cases where Wikipedia was conflating different topics; plant product derived from multiple species with a taxobox for one species, the common name for a fairly well known fruit needing disambiguation against an obscure French town. At that point I was hooked and started making more substantial contributions. It also was apparent that while the English Wikipedia might not outpace Wikispecies in article count, it had better representation of organisms that more people were interested in, and was attracting far more readers. For the first few years I was active, I focused on adding redirects for (unambigous)) vernacular names, and resolving ambiguous vernacular names.

Aside from plants, I'm interested in slime molds, fungi, and various sessile and slow-moving animals (I like things that can be observed without them running away). I've had some short term work experience with fishes (ITIS), mammals, birds and insects.

What projects are keeping you busy around the 'pedia at present?

Well, I'm not much of a content creator. I mostly do gnomish edits.

Every day, I try to look through the all the new articles for the ToL subprojects that have new article reports set up (which reminds me, we should really get a ToL-wide new article report going). Many new articles are created by experienced ToL editors whose names I recognize, and I don't do much to check their work. For unfamiliar editors, I tag articles for the appropriate WikiProject, and check for formatting, grammar, etc. A couple years ago, I was just about the only person checking new ToL articles, but recently other ToL editors have stepped up.

Since early 2017, my main project has been converting manual taxoboxes to automatic taxoboxes. That has me going through articles systematically, and since I'm editing them anyway there are a bunch of other changes I make as necessary. Checking that classification is up-to-date, standardizing formatting, adding inline citations, refining categories, adding images if any are available on Commons, adding additional IDs to taxonbars in cases of monotypy, creating/categorizing redirects. I've slowly been working through plant articles, with occasional forays into other groups of organisms. Some of these tasks weren't part of my work flow when I first started, and there are some tasks that I could be doing, but haven't bothered with (short descriptions, certain types of categories). I expect it'll take about another year for me to finish up with plant automatic taxoboxes, and then I'm sure I'll have to find something else to do.

What's your favorite plant?

I couldn't pick just one. Pseudotsuga is the dominant tree where I grew up, and it always makes me happy to be back in a Douglas fir forest. Asimina triloba is my favorite wild edible plant that grows where I live now. I studied Berberis thunbergii as an invasive species in grad school, and have a love/hate relationship with it now (mostly hate, but it remains interesting). Belgian endive is my favorite vegetable without a Wikipedia article. I'm fond of Lamiaceae in general, and while many species are used as herbs, I'm particularly interested in mints with other uses; Salvia hispanica as a pseudo-cereal, Plectranthus rotundifolius as a root crop, and Salvia divinorum as psychoactive plant with mysterious origins (is it a cultigen?).

What's your background like? How did you come to have a special interest in biology?

I grew up in a rural area and spent a lot of time playing in the woods and working in the garden, so I interacted a lot with plants as a child. My mother's parents were (insect) taxonomists (and a great-grandparent had a keen interest in natural history). My mother was pretty comfortable with scientific names, and after my parents settled in a part of the country with many plants they hadn't been familiar with, she learned the new plants by scientific names. I knew a bunch of plants by scientific names from an early age long before I realized that other people had different names for them. When I was a little older I became interested in edible wild plants. I remained interested in plants in general, and when I was in college and discovered the discipline of ethnobotany, which really tied together the general botany side of my interests with the edible plant side.

What's something that would surprised TOL editors about your life off-wiki?

Birders have life lists of species they've seen. I have a life list of plant species I've eaten. I enjoy shopping at international grocery stores, looking for new plants to try (or different preparations of unusual plants I've already tried). I've made two trips to a city 5 hours away just to shop at a store that I'm pretty sure is the largest international grocery store in the United States. My best Christmas gift this year was a box with little sample packs of 14 different species of dried fruits and herbs from Australia. I'd prefer to try the fruits fresh, but without making a trip to Australia, this is my best opportunity to try some of the major bushfoods.

Anything else you'd like us to know?

Editing Wikipedia has been a rewarding hobby for me, and although I haven't done a lot of direct collaboration with other editors, the ToL community seems pretty friendly and relatively conflict free. ToL is a good bunch of people.

December DYKs

Member of genus Chrysomya

Mekong Bobtail

• ... that the tapping sound of the deathwatch beetle has long been considered an omen of an impending death? (1 December)
• ... that Chinese virologist George F. Gao led a test laboratory in Sierra Leone during the peak of the 2014 Ebola outbreak? (1 December)
• ... that the chirps of the snowy tree cricket can be used to estimate the temperature? (2 December)
• ... that research on pain in fish by Victoria Braithwaite resulted in new rules in the UK, Europe, and Canada to make fisheries more humane? (2 December)
• ... that plant physiologist Hu Dujing cultivated Eucommia ulmoides to produce a substitute for rubber? (3 December)
• ... that Rhagoletis juglandis is a species of fly that infests walnuts? (3 December)
• ... that the granulate ambrosia beetle is native to Asia but has spread as an invasive species to Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania? (5 December)
• ... that the Peleng tarsier, a small carnivorous primate, can rotate its head nearly 180 degrees in either direction? (7 December)
• ... that Chrysomya putoria (genus member pictured) and other flies that feed on decomposing flesh are used as important tools in forensic entomology to establish the post-mortem interval? (9 December)
• ... that a moth is being used in biological pest control of the sugarcane planthopper? (12 December)
• ... that because photomicrographs of Longan witches broom-associated virus were not published, the virus was not initially accepted as the cause of the eponymous disease? (13 December)
• ... that infestations of the cotton jassid can be reduced by growing a cotton cultivar with hairy leaves? (14 December)
• ... that Coelopa pilipes fly populations can live at temperatures of 40 °C (104 °F) within piles of kelp, even in areas covered with snow and ice? (18 December)
• ... that Hirtodrosophila mycetophaga mate on bracket fungi, selectively choosing those with a lighter surface to enhance the visibility of their courtship displays? (19 December)
• ... that Appasus japonicus (pictured), a species of giant water bug, provides an example of insect paternal care? (20 December)
• ... that the banana weevil is considered the most serious insect pest of bananas? (21 December)
• ... that the Christmas Island flying fox matures more slowly than nearly all other bats? (26 December)
• ... that in the absence of males in North America, the female woolly alder sawfly reproduces through parthenogenesis? (26 December)
• ... that the Christmas darter is considered a priority species by the state of South Carolina, but of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature? (28 December)
• ... that after laying its eggs on a leaf, the female mango leaf-cutting weevil severs the leaf near its base and lets it fall to the ground? (30 December)
• ... that Mekong Bobtails (example pictured) were among 200 royal cats given to Nicholas II of Russia by King Chulalongkorn of Siam in the 19th century? (31 December)

Discuss this issue

You are receiving this because you added your name to the subscribers list of the WikiProject Tree of Life. If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please remove your name.

Proposed move of Mid-Atlantic accent to Transatlantic accent

Hello,

In the page move proposal that you closed, I've noticed, funnily enough, that the final editor who voted "oppose" actually thought that the proposal was in reference to the Mid-Atlantic American English rather than the Mid-Atlantic accent. He notes that he "once heard this accent referred to as the Delawarean Accent". To me, at least, this is a clear reference to the Mid-Atlantic American English accent, which is also known as the Delaware Valley accent, is centered around the Delaware Bay, and is spoken in the entire state of Delaware.

This editor's understandable confusion only further demonstrates the need to re-titled the "Mid-Atlantic accent" page by moving it from the unnecessarily confusing "Mid-Atlantic accent" to the more commonly sourced "Transatlantic accent." The page move was proposed in part to avoid confusion over the similarly named dialect, and yet, bizarrely, the move was thwarted because one of the very editors themselves who voted to "oppose" the move was confused and believed the article was about Mid-Atlantic American English. Confusion or not (and I'm not trying to be anti-democratic or attack anyone here), the fact that the final vote was decided by a now indefinitely blocked editor who couldn't even be bothered to actually read and comprehend the article (and has a history of blanking entire pages that involve accents) is a little ridiculous, no? Ultimately, however, the proposal was also based on the sources, the majority of which overwhelming refer to the "Transatlantic accent" rather than the "Mid-Atlantic accent". Madreterra (talk) 20:42, 4 January 2020 (UTC)

I see it was three weeks ago that I closed the survey as "no consensus", so it is a bit late now to reopen it and relist, and there were other opposes as well. However, you could make another proposed move, pointing out the defect in the previous one, if you wished. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 21:19, 4 January 2020 (UTC)

Rollback

Apologies, I was aiming to click something else but fat fingers got in the way. 08:33, 5 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Pelophylax caralitanus

On 6 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Pelophylax caralitanus, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the Anatolian frog is exported from Turkey to France, Italy and Switzerland for food, and is considered by the IUCN to be a near-threatened species? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Pelophylax caralitanus. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Pelophylax caralitanus), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

--valereee (talk) 00:02, 6 January 2020 (UTC)

Thanks for editing for the first annual Tree of Life Decemberween contest!

		Tree of Life Decemberween contest participation barnstar
		Thank you for all the hard work you did on Christmas white-eye, Wildlife of Christmas Island, Christmas darter, Procaris noelensis, and Blancoa for the contest. Unless my math is off, you earned 18.4 points! I hope to see you in the next contest! --Nessie (talk) 20:12, 6 January 2020 (UTC)

I have sent you a note about a page you reviewed

Hello, Cwmhiraeth

Thank you for creating Richard Rudzitis.

User:Cwmhiraeth, while examining this page as a part of our page curation process, had the following comments:

When writing a biography, after stating the subject's full name in the lead, you should use his surname rather than his given name when referring to him.

To reply, leave a comment here and prepend it with {{Re|Cwmhiraeth}}. And, don't forget to sign your reply with ~~~~ .

(Message delivered via the Page Curation tool, on behalf of the reviewer.)

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 14:01, 8 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Diocalandra frumenti

On 9 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Diocalandra frumenti, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that a severe infestation of the palm weevil borer can kill its host palm? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Diocalandra frumenti. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Diocalandra frumenti), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:02, 9 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Phenacoccus solenopsis

On 10 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Phenacoccus solenopsis, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the cotton mealybug, originally discovered in an underground ants' nest in New Mexico, is now a major cotton pest in India? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Phenacoccus solenopsis. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Phenacoccus solenopsis), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 12:02, 10 January 2020 (UTC)

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Thank you for creating the article on the pest species Phenacoccus solenopsis. Please remember to importance-assess such articles as at least Mid importance. Abductive (reasoning) 18:41, 10 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Savannah darter

On 11 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Savannah darter, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the female Savannah darter lays clutches of sticky eggs that she buries in gravel or sand? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Savannah darter. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Savannah darter), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Gatoclass (talk) 12:01, 11 January 2020 (UTC)

CJ Bott requested move

Hi Cwmhiraeth. I just wanted to quickly seek some clarification on a requested move you recently closed. It appears you did so after rather less than the allotted seven days? Also I would have expected a relist was more appropriate in the circumstances, given that one of the two oppose !votes was mere WP:IDONTLIKEIT? I'd be interested to get your thoughts ahead of a possible review. Thanks, Bring back Daz Sampson (talk) 14:07, 11 January 2020 (UTC)

I think if you work it out carefully, I closed after seven days and five hours, and there was certainly no consensus among the participants of the discussion. If the use of her initials rather than her full name becomes more established, you can make another move proposal for the article in due course. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 14:17, 11 January 2020 (UTC)

Move review for Catherine Bott (footballer)

An editor has asked for a Move review of Catherine Bott (footballer). Because you closed the move discussion for this page, or otherwise were interested in the page, you might want to participate in the move review. Bring back Daz Sampson (talk) 12:36, 1 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Malayan banded pitta

On 12 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Malayan banded pitta, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the Malayan banded pitta is threatened by the destruction of its forest habitat and by being targeted for the illegal trade in birds? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Malayan banded pitta. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Malayan banded pitta), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 00:02, 12 January 2020 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Original Barnstar
	Thanks for your feedback on my first work! That's really inspiring to hear from a professional Wiki editor like you. Irene T 16:00, 13 January 2020 (UTC)

Thanks, Irene. Keep up the good work! Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:43, 13 January 2020 (UTC)

Snooker season page moves

Hi Cwmhiraeth, Thank you for implementing the page moves agreed in the discussion Talk:2019–2020 snooker season#Requested move 3 January 2020. In your closing statement you said Moved to format "1968–69 snooker season" but you have used format "1968–1969 snooker season". Was there a particular reason for this? MOS:DATERANGE states that the end year can have two digits if they are consecutive years, and this has been acknowledged in the discussion. The consensus seems to have been for the two-digit end-year format, and this would also be consistent with other sports season titles. Thanks, Rodney Baggins (talk) 19:42, 13 January 2020 (UTC)

@Rodney Baggins: I made an error, and worked backwards to 2004 before I realised it. The earlier seasons are in the correct format, and I will correct the ones I got wrong. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:49, 13 January 2020 (UTC)

Ok that's great. I'll be updating the bold reiterations and next/previous links. Thanks again. Rodney Baggins (talk) 19:56, 13 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Selenothrips rubrocinctus

On 14 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Selenothrips rubrocinctus, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that redbanded thrips are a significant pest of mango and cacao in the West Indies? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Selenothrips rubrocinctus. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Selenothrips rubrocinctus), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 12:01, 14 January 2020 (UTC)

Kamchatka RM

Can you please expand on your "no consensus" close at Talk:Kamchatka_Peninsula#Requested_move_3_January_2020, to explain how exactly you found "no consensus"? Or, better yet, reconsider your decision? I see the nom and three supports, and two opposes. By the numbers that's 4 to 2, and usually indicates consensus favoring a move, though it's important to look at the arguments themselves and weigh them according to how well they are based in policy. On the support side, the nom cites primary topic, which is unchallenged, and rhetorically asks why not go with the simpler title, implying WP:CONCISE. The first support implies COMMONNAME ("a majority of websites use 'Kamchatka' alone."). The second support (yours truly) explicitly cites COMMONNAME and provides a link to usage in the reliable source NY Times for basis. The third support cites ATDAB. On the oppose side (again, there are only two) the first oppose argues disambiguation is necessary because there are other Kamchatka uses (which are disambiguated). However, the Support claim that this use is primary (and therefore the disambiguation with "Peninsula" is unnecessary) is unchallenged. The second oppose is even weaker, merely asserting the longer title is "clearer" (that's not a WP:CRITERIA - many titles should be changed to be made "clearer" if that were a legitimate title consideration) and repeating the undisputed fact that it's ambiguous (there is a dab page for Kamchatka) again without challenging the primary topic claim. Maybe I missed something, and obviously I'm biased, but with my objectivity hat on I see a strong policy-based consensus on the Support side here, and a very weak WP:JDLI oppose. So, please, elaborate, or reconsider. Thanks. --В²C ☎ 19:30, 14 January 2020 (UTC)

@Born2cycle: I do not agree with your analysis and find the first OPPOSE argument persuasive, however I am quite prepared to reopen the discussion and relist it, which I will do now. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:46, 14 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Wildlife of Christmas Island

On 15 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Wildlife of Christmas Island, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the red crabs (example pictured) dominating the wildlife of Christmas Island have been threatened by the arrival of yellow crazy ants? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Wildlife of Christmas Island. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Wildlife of Christmas Island), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:01, 15 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Aepus marinus

On 16 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Aepus marinus, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that in France, the beetle Aepus marinus is restricted to a narrow strip of the beach near high water mark? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Aepus marinus. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Aepus marinus), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

MANdARAX • XAЯAbИAM 21:20, 16 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Hemiberlesia lataniae

On 17 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Hemiberlesia lataniae, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the palm scale was first found on an endemic species of palm on the island of Réunion, but now infests plants in at least 78 families around the world? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Hemiberlesia lataniae. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Hemiberlesia lataniae), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:02, 17 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Massif des Maures

On 19 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Massif des Maures, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that forests on the Massif des Maures experience frequent fires, but the thick bark of the cork oak helps it to survive? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Massif des Maures. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Massif des Maures), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

--valereee (talk) 12:02, 19 January 2020 (UTC)

WAM 2019 Postcard

Wikipedia Asian Month 2019

Dear Participants and Organizers,

Kindly remind you that we only collect the information for WAM postcard 31/01/2019 UTC 23:59. If you haven't filled the google form, please fill it asap. If you already completed the form, please stay tun, wait for the postcard and tracking emails.

Cheers!

Thank you and best regards,

Wikipedia Asian Month International Team 2020.01

MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 20:58, 20 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Leptoglossus gonagra

On 21 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Leptoglossus gonagra, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that hosts of the passionvine bug (example pictured) include coffee, citrus, mung bean, squash, and mango? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Leptoglossus gonagra. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Leptoglossus gonagra), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:01, 21 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Rhinogobius flumineus

On 21 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Rhinogobius flumineus, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the lizard goby holds on to rocks in fast-flowing water by means of a "sucker" formed from two fins? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Rhinogobius flumineus. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Rhinogobius flumineus), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Gatoclass (talk) 12:01, 21 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK nomination of Richard Rudzitis

Hello! Your submission of Richard Rudzitis at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and some issues with it may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know! Yoninah (talk) 00:36, 24 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Acanthochitona crinita

On 24 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Acanthochitona crinita, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that chitons, such as Acanthochitona crinita, are molluscs with a shell composed of eight separate articulating valves? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Acanthochitona crinita. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Acanthochitona crinita), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 12:02, 24 January 2020 (UTC)

Article move/name change for Syrian Civil War -> Syrian civil war

The infobox at that page - {{Syrian Civil War infobox}} or Template:Syrian Civil War infobox - Does it need to be moved to a new name too?... Also, there are a multitude of connected articles with Syrian Civil War (see their titles) not sure what should be done with them. Shearonink (talk) 16:50, 24 January 2020 (UTC)

In the page move review, there was a consensus to move Syrian Civil War -> Syrian civil war, so I performed the move. The discussion centred on the capitalisation issues and was not concerned with the infobox or titles of other related articles. Further discussions may be needed with regard to them. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:56, 24 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK nomination of Acropyga exsanguis

Hello! Your submission of Acropyga exsanguis at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and some issues with it may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know! Achaea (talk) 19:45, 24 January 2020 (UTC)

Scale insect

Well I think we're about done with the scales, then? Chiswick Chap (talk) 21:25, 24 January 2020 (UTC)

Yes. It seemed to me that it was written in American English, so I used that when I thought of it, but there are sure to be things I missed, and my spellchecker doesn't pick up. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:57, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Well, it makes very little difference, just a letter here or there, and it'll give the reviewer something to do. I'll nominate it now. Chiswick Chap (talk) 10:23, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

It's under review already! Chiswick Chap (talk) 09:16, 26 January 2020 (UTC)

I'm not sure about the hook. "Billions of dollars' worth of damage", or "the source of both crimson and scarlet" might be more exciting? Chiswick Chap (talk) 10:18, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

@Chiswick Chap: Please add an alternative hook or two. I really enjoyed working on that group, they are such interesting insects! Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:26, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

Added, I hope in the right way. Any more pests you fancy working on? Chiswick Chap (talk) 12:50, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

Well, I want to improve Mealybug, but that would just be more of the same, and otherwise its just things I come across when looking for more information like Polychaete. Do you have any suggestions? Cwmhiraeth (talk) 13:55, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

Slug? Not a bad article already (a lot of work by The Snail Lady, Invertzoo). Bed bug? also in quite a good state. A jolly subject. I can write about bed bugs in Moby Dick! Chiswick Chap (talk) 14:29, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

Let's go for bed bug. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 14:33, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

No scratching now! :} Chiswick Chap (talk) 14:58, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

Cimicidae

There's a bit of a WP:FORK issue between "Cimex" (slightly more on the biology) and "Bed bug" (rather more on diagnosis, prevention, treatment). Perhaps the second article should be renamed "Bed bug infestation" or something of that sort; unfortunately it redirects to "Bed bug", I'd say that was the wrong way around. There's a third article, Bed bug control techniques. WP:NOTHOWTO also intrudes; and I suspect WP:MEDRS will rear its ugly head. How many articles should there be? Chiswick Chap (talk) 15:14, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

I will start looking at it tomorrow. I'm hoping that I can find some information on other species and the genus in general, but it may not be easy. Let's see how it goes. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:29, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

I did a little on Cimex but I have now changed to Cimicidae which is more to my taste, and the Taylor article is a useful resource. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 20:06, 6 February 2020 (UTC)

Very wise. I'll join you there. Chiswick Chap (talk) 20:17, 6 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Blancoa

On 25 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Blancoa, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the main pollinators of the winter bell (pictured) are the singing honeyeater and the red wattlebird? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Blancoa. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Blancoa), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

--valereee (talk) 12:01, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

Template:Did you know nominations/Lady Victoria Campbell

Re the above, I've just noticed a problem. Please could you kindly strike out ALT1 to prevent it from being mistakenly put on the main page? The nominator has replaced it with ALT2 "membership of" (instead of membership in") because it is a British English article. My apologies for not striking it earlier. Storye book (talk) 11:25, 26 January 2020 (UTC)

@Storye book: Well, I have done that, but it was probably not necessary because it was ALT2 that I had promoted. I was more concerned about the "islands throughout Argyll", when I would have preferred "islands of Argyll". Cwmhiraeth (talk) 11:43, 26 January 2020 (UTC)

Thank you. Yes I fully agree with you about "islands of Argyll" being better. I would be happy for it to be changed if Ruby2010 agrees. @Ruby2010: Storye book (talk) 12:07, 26 January 2020 (UTC)

Perfectly fine with me, thank you! Ruby2010 (talk) 21:41, 26 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Laem Phak Bia

On 26 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Laem Phak Bia, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper can often be seen at Laem Phak Bia in Thailand? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Laem Phak Bia. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Laem Phak Bia), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 12:01, 26 January 2020 (UTC)

The Signpost: 27 January 2020

• From the editor: Reaching six million articles is great, but we need a moratorium

• News and notes: Six million articles on the English language Wikipedia

• Special report: The limits of volunteerism and the gatekeepers of Team Encarta

• In the media: Turkey's back up, but what's happening with Dot-org and a new visual identity?

• Arbitration report: Three cases at ArbCom

• Traffic report: The most viewed articles of 2019

• Gallery: Wiki Loves Monuments 2019, we're all winners

• News from the WMF: Capacity Building: Top 5 Themes from Community Conversations

• Community view: Our most important new article since November 1, 2015

• In focus: Cryptos and bitcoins and blockchains, oh no!

• Recent research: How useful is Wikipedia for novice programmers trying to learn computing concepts?

• From the archives: A decade of The Signpost, 2005-2015

• On the bright side: What's making you happy this month?

• WikiProject report: WikiProject Japan: a wikiProject Report

• Humour: Predicting the 6,000,000th article

• Obituary: Remembering Wikipedia contributor Brian Boulton

* Read this Signpost in full * Single-page * Unsubscribe * MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 02:09, 27 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Pontobdella muricata

On 28 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Pontobdella muricata, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that with a stretched length of up to 20 cm (8 in), Pontobdella muricata is one of the largest marine leeches? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Pontobdella muricata. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Pontobdella muricata), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:02, 28 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Doubleband surgeonfish

On 29 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Doubleband surgeonfish, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the doubleband surgeonfish (example pictured) can turn a dark brown shade flushed with red or violet when stressed? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Doubleband surgeonfish. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Doubleband surgeonfish), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 12:02, 29 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Richard Rudzitis

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 12:03, 29 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Acanthurus dussumieri

On 31 January 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Acanthurus dussumieri, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that juvenile ornate surgeonfish are quite different in colouring from the adult fish? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Acanthurus dussumieri. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Acanthurus dussumieri), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

— Wug·a·po·des​ 06:57, 31 January 2020 (UTC) 12:03, 31 January 2020 (UTC)

DYK nomination of Actinopyga capillata

Hello! Your submission of Actinopyga capillata at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and some issues with it may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know! Staberinde (talk) 15:40, 1 February 2020 (UTC)

February 2020

Please do not move a page to a title that is harder to follow, or move it unilaterally against naming conventions or consensus, as you did to Thomas Brierley. This includes making page moves while a discussion remains underway. We have some guidelines to help with deciding what title is best for a subject. If you would like to experiment with page titles and moving, please use the test Wikipedia. Thank you. Dl2000 (talk) 16:39, 1 February 2020 (UTC)

Thank you for your kind advice. You will find a discussion on the proposed move at Talk:Thomas Brierley where I found there was a consensus to move the article, closed the discussion (which had been open for the requisite week) and performed the move. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:44, 1 February 2020 (UTC)

Sincere apologies for that, somehow missed the talk page move discussion there. Before doing that move revert, I did not find the phrase "grave cipher" in the article, your move only indicated "better title" for the edit summary and you did seem to have some controversy on earlier page move matters e.g. User talk:Cwmhiraeth#Page moves. Nevertheless your move was clearly justified and not vandalism, I retract the above message and have restored the page to Thomas Brierley grave cipher per consensus. Dl2000 (talk) 18:54, 1 February 2020 (UTC)

@Dl2000: Your apologies are accepted. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:00, 1 February 2020 (UTC)

The Great Britain/Ireland Destubathon

Hi. The Wikipedia:The Great Britain/Ireland Destubathon is planned for March 2020, a contest/editathon to eliminate as many stubs as possible from all 134 counties. Amazon vouchers/book prizes are planned for most articles destubbed from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and Northern Ireland and whoever destubs articles from the most counties out of the 134. Sign up on page if interested in participating, hope this will prove to be good fun and productive, we have over 44,000 stubs!♦ Dr. Blofeld 11:23, 2 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Zanardinia

On 3 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Zanardinia, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that growth in the brown seaweed Zanardinia typus occurs at the base of the hairs that grow around the edge of the frond? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Zanardinia. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Zanardinia), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 12:02, 3 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Acropyga exsanguis

On 4 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Acropyga exsanguis, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the ant Acropyga exsanguis shares its nest with several species of mealybug, including Geococcus coffeae? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Acropyga exsanguis. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Acropyga exsanguis), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 00:02, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Geococcus coffeae

On 4 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Geococcus coffeae, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the ant Acropyga exsanguis shares its nest with several species of mealybug, including Geococcus coffeae? You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Geococcus coffeae), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 00:02, 4 February 2020 (UTC)

January 2020 Tree of Life Newsletter

January 2020—Issue 010

Tree of Life

Welcome to the Tree of Life newsletter!

Newly recognized content

Megarachne by Ichthyovenator Christmas imperial pigeon by Dunkleosteus77, reviewed by FunkMonk Paranthropus by Dunkleosteus77, reviewed by IJReid Orcinus meyeri by Dunkleosteus77, reviewed by Enwebb Christmas darter by Enwebb and Cwmhiraeth, reviewed by J Milburn Saxifragales by Michael Goodyear, reviewed by starsandwhales Segnosaurus by FunkMonk, reviewed by Jens Lallensack Dryopithecus by Dunkleosteus77, reviewed by Jens Lallensack Drosophila subobscura by Andrewoh29, reviewed by Jens Lallensack Egyptian fruit bat by Enwebb, reviewed by FunkMonk Scale insect by Chiswick Chap and Cwhmiraeth, reviewed by Dunkleosteus77

Newly nominated content

Wolf by LittleJerry Segnosaurus by FunkMonk The Goldfinch (painting) by Jimfbleak Dryomyza anilis by AnuBalasubramanian Pigs in culture by Chiswick Chap Coronariae by Michael Goodyear Neanderthal by Dunkleosteus77 Gharial by BhagyaMani Honeynut squash by Ɱ James John Joicey by RLO1729 Gigantorhynchus by Mattximus Ardipithecus ramidus by Dunkleosteus77

News at a Glance

• In a major milestone for the automated taxobox system, more taxa articles now use automatic taxoboxes than manual ones. Particularly robust groups for automatic taxoboxes are turtles, primates, birds, rodents, amphibians and reptiles, sharks, and bivalves, with each project adopting automatic taxoboxes at rates greater than 95%. Only the fungi, arthropods, and microbiology projects had automatic taxobox adoption rates less than 25%. Read more in the 1 January update.
• Thanks to user Trappist the monk, all citations to the IUCN using Template:Cite web or Template:Cite journal have now been swapped to Template:Cite iucn. This will prevent a recurrence of massive link failure should the IUCN change its URL format again. That does not address the 14.5k articles that cite the IUCN without the use of templates. For more background discussion, see here and here.

Vital Articles

The vital articles project on English Wikipedia began in 2004 when an editor transferred a list from Meta-Wiki: List of articles every Wikipedia should have. The first incarnation of the list became what is now level 3. As of 2019, there are 5 levels of vital articles:

• Level 1: the 10 most vital articles (2009)
• Level 2: the 100 most vital articles (2009)
• Level 3: the 1,000 most vital articles (2004)
• Level 4: the 10,000 most vital articles (2006)
• Level 5: the 50,000 most vital articles (2017)

Each level is inclusive of all previous levels, meaning that the 1,000 Level 3 articles include those listed on Levels 2 and 1. Below is an overview of the distribution of vital articles, and the quality of the articles. While the ultimate goal of the vital articles project is to have Featured-class articles, I also considered Good Articles to be "complete" for the purposes of this list.

Animals (1,148 designated out of projected 2,400)

Cnidarians (5/8): 62.5% complete

Echinoderms (3/6): 50% complete

Insects (30/70): 42.9% complete

Invertebrates + others (10/27): 37% complete

Other arthropods (3/10): 30% complete

Reptiles (25/85): 29.4% complete

Amphibians (6/22): 27.3% complete

Porifera (1/4): 25% complete

Mammals (68/319): 21.3% complete

Mollusks (2/19): 21.1% complete

Arachnids (3/17): 17.6% complete

Birds (33/187): 17.6% complete

Animal breeds and hybrids (19/112): 17% complete

Crustaceans (3/25): 12% complete

Fishes (11/134): 8.2% complete

Agnatha (0/4): 0% complete

Plants, fungi, and other organisms (510 designated out of projected 1,200)

Fungi (4/33): 12.1% complete

Other organisms—Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya (5/62): 8.1% complete

Vegetables (6/96): 6.7% complete

Monocots (2/35): 5.7% complete

Edible fruits (5/95): 5.3% complete

Non-flowering plants (1/30): 3.3% complete

Edible seeds, grains, nuts (1/69): 1.4% complete

Non-monocots (1/88): 1.1% complete

Carnivorous plants (0/2): 0% complete

Many articles have yet to be designated for Tree of Life taxonomic groups, with 1,942 outstanding articles to be added. Anyone can add vital articles to the list! Restructuring may be necessary, as the only viruses included as of yet are under the category "Health". The majority of vital articles needing improvement are level 5, but here are some outstanding articles from the other levels:

Level 2

· Life · Human · Plant

Level 3

· Abiogenesis · Death · Cell · Human evolution · Organism · Zoology · Cattle · Dog · Reptile · Flower · Nut · Seed · Algae · Eukaryote · Biodiversity · Extinction · Photosynthesis

Level 4

· Sexual dimorphism · Feather · Fur · Hair · Gill · Plant anatomy · Plant morphology · Berry · Leaf · Root · Stoma · Shrub · Plant stem · Bark · Trunk · Epidermis · Ground tissue · Meristem · Vascular tissue · Vascular cambium · Hypha · Mycelium

January DYKs

Fossil teeth of Alopias palatasi

LuEsther T. Mertz Library

The Central Park mandarin duck

Christmas Island red crab

Salvador Dalí with his pet ocelot Babou

Passionvine bug

Tansy beetle

Winter bell

Doubleband surgeonfish

• ... that the extinct giant thresher shark Alopias palatasi is the only one of its kind to possess serrated teeth (pictured)? (1 January)
• ... that Dogor, an 18,000-year-old canine puppy, may represent a common ancestor of the dog and the wolf? (2 January)
• ... that the Caton Oak in Lancashire, England, was reputed to be a site of worship by druids? (4 January)
• ... that the LuEsther T. Mertz Library (pictured), one of the world's largest botanical libraries, had 6.5 million plant specimens and 75 percent of the world's systematic botany literature in 2002? (4 January)
• ... that Australian biologist Lee Berger identified Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis as being responsible for the decline and extinction of hundreds of amphibian species? (5 January)
• ... that the beetle Zaitzevia thermae has a total habitat of less than 35 square metres (380 sq ft) around one hot spring in Montana? (6 January)
• ... that the Anatolian frog is exported from Turkey to France, Italy and Switzerland for food, and is considered by the IUCN to be a near-threatened species? (6 January)
• ... that the stems and leaves of the endangered Holloway's crystalwort look as if they are covered in sugar crystals? (8 January)
• ... that a severe infestation of the palm weevil borer can kill its host palm? (9 January)
• ... that a mandarin duck (pictured) that appeared in New York City's Central Park became an international celebrity, with followers whom the Associated Press called "quackarazzi"? (10 January)
• ... that the Lac La Croix Indian Pony was recreated from a breeding population of four mares by crossing them with a Spanish Mustang? (11 January)
• ... that the female Savannah darter lays clutches of sticky eggs that she buries in gravel or sand? (12 January)
• ... that the Malayan banded pitta is threatened by the destruction of its forest habitat and by being targeted for the illegal trade in birds? (12 January)
• ... that in 2007, a rescued European bison calf dubbed Pubal grew so attached to humans in southeastern Poland that he could not be successfully reintegrated back into the wild? (13 January)
• ... that evolutionary biologist Rebecca Kilner has found that mites can give burying beetles a competitive advantage? (13 January)
• ... that jellyfish blooms can clog coastal power plants, causing losses of tens of thousands of US dollars per day? (14 January)
• ... that redbanded thrips are a significant pest of mango and cacao in the West Indies? (15 January)
• ... that the red crabs (example pictured) dominating the wildlife of Christmas Island have been threatened by the arrival of yellow crazy ants? (15 January)
• ... that Anisocentropus krampus was described in the same paper as other insects with monstrous names like Ganonema dracula and Anisocentropus golem? (16 January)
• ... that in France, the beetle Aepus marinus is restricted to a narrow strip of the beach near the high-water mark? (17 January)
• ... that the palm scale was first found on an endemic species of palm on the island of Réunion, but now infests plants in at least 78 families around the world? (17 January)
• ... that artist Salvador Dalí claimed that his pet ocelot (both pictured) was an ordinary domestic cat that he had "painted over in an op art design"? (18 January)
• ... that a whale found in western Vermont has presented further evidence of glaciation in New England? (19 January)
• ... that hosts of the passionvine bug (example pictured) include coffee, citrus, mung bean, squash, and mango? (21 January)
• ... that the lizard goby holds on to rocks in fast-flowing water by means of a "sucker" formed from two fins? (21 January)
• ... that the egg sacs of the newly discovered Phinda button spider are made of bright purple silk that fades to grey when it dries? (22 January)
• ... that the nationally rare tansy beetle (example pictured) survives at Acaster South Ings, a Site of Special Scientific Interest near York, England? (23 January)
• ... that chitons, such as Acanthochitona crinita, are molluscs with a shell composed of eight separate articulating valves? (25 January)
• ... that the main pollinators of the winter bell (pictured) are the singing honeyeater and the red wattlebird? (26 January)
• ... that with a stretched length of up to 20 cm (8 in), Pontobdella muricata is one of the largest marine leeches? (28 January)
• ... that not only does Couma utilis have edible fruit, its latex is used as a base for chewing gum, caulking boats, and whitewashing houses? (29 January)
• ... that the doubleband surgeonfish (example pictured) can turn a dark brown shade flushed with red or violet when stressed? (30 January)

Discuss this issue

You are receiving this because you added your name to the subscribers list of the WikiProject Tree of Life. If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please remove your name.

DYK for Blue pitta

On 5 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Blue pitta, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the blue pitta is a shy, secretive bird, but will respond to a recording of its call? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Blue pitta. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Blue pitta), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:01, 5 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK nomination of John Papworth (plasterer)

Hello! Your submission of John Papworth (plasterer) at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and some issues with it may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. Thank you for contributing to Did You Know! Yoninah (talk) 22:58, 5 February 2020 (UTC)

Move in Syrian Civil War

Hi, I think the closing here should have been "no consensus" because if we are going to use "civil war" instead of "Civil War", then we should move all articles with "Civil War" to "civil war" so that the "civil war" become consistent in all articles.--SharʿabSalam▼ (talk) 22:21, 6 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Acetabularia acetabulum

On 7 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Acetabularia acetabulum, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the alga Acetabularia acetabulum (pictured) resembles a green parasol? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Acetabularia acetabulum. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Acetabularia acetabulum), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:01, 7 February 2020 (UTC)

Thanks!

Hi Cwmhiraeth, thanks for promoting the Cymmer Colliery explosion DYK to the prep queue, much appreciated. RLO1729 (talk) 08:38, 7 February 2020 (UTC)

Pearl District

Hi - thanks for the close here. One nit, though. Only one editor said that USPLACE applies here. The other three, myself included, disagreed, and in fact there is no neighborhood convention in USPLACE. Any chance you could edit your close to reflect that? USPLACE is always highly charged, and it would be nice to reflect how editors actually discussed it here. Thanks! Dohn joe (talk) 16:14, 7 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Pedicularis palustris

On 9 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Pedicularis palustris, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Bishop Monkton Ings in North Yorkshire, England, provides a habitat to the semi-parasitic marsh lousewort? You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Pedicularis palustris), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:02, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK

Cwmhiraeth, I just noticed you were starting a second set. Thank you so much. There's a special occasion hook that should go into either Prep 3 or Prep 4, in case you're going to complete that new set; if Prep 3 is better timing for it, that might affect what goes where. BlueMoonset (talk) 07:14, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

@BlueMoonset: Right, I will jiggle them around a bit and incorporate it in an image slot. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 07:20, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for John Papworth (plasterer)

On 9 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article John Papworth (plasterer), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that John Papworth created the plasterwork on the ceiling of the Greenwich Hospital chapel (pictured) in London when it was rebuilt in the 1780s after a fire? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/John Papworth (plasterer). You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, John Papworth (plasterer)), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 12:02, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Callipappus australis

On 10 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Callipappus australis, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that although the bird of paradise fly was first described from an Angophora tree, it is quite likely that this is not the insect's host plant? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Callipappus australis. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Callipappus australis), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Gatoclass (talk) 12:04, 10 February 2020 (UTC)

DYK for Actinopyga capillata

On 13 February 2020, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Actinopyga capillata, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the hairy sea cucumber has long tube feet on its dorsal surface, giving it a furry appearance? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Actinopyga capillata. You are welcome to check how many page hits the article got while on the front page (here's how, Actinopyga capillata), and it may be added to the statistics page if the total is over 5,000. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Gatoclass (talk) 12:02, 13 February 2020 (UTC)