Scientists don’t just discover new animal and insect species — sometimes they get to choose a fun name for them too, and quite a few have chosen to name new species after famous celebrities.
A tiny amphipod shrimp found on Indonesian coral reefs was named Leucothoe eltoni after singer Sir Elton John, because its bright, colourful body reminded scientists of his bold stage outfits.
A large trapdoor spider discovered in the United States was named Aptostichus barackobamai, honouring former US President Barack Obama’s work supporting science and conservation.
A stream tree frog living in the rainforests of Ecuador was named Hyloscirtus princecharlesi after King Charles, back when he was still a prince, recognising his work protecting rainforests.
Musicians have had their fair share of animal namesakes too. A parasitoid wasp was named Aleiodes shakirae after singer Shakira, because the caterpillar it lays its eggs in wriggles around in a way that reminded researchers of her famous dance moves, while a horse fly with a shiny golden patch was named Plinthina beyonceae after Beyoncé.
Four different damselfly species were even named after the members of the band Queen — Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon.
Other famous names living on in the animal kingdom include a millipede named after singer Taylor Swift, and several species named in honour of environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg.
It’s a quirky reminder that scientists have a sense of humour too, even when naming brand new species for the history books.
Te Reo Māori
Pane: Kia Mōhio ki ngā Kararehe kua Tapaina ki ngā Ingoa Rongonui
Ehara i te mea he kimi momo kararehe hou, momo ngārara hou rānei, tā ngā kaiputaiao — i ētahi wā, ka whiwhi hoki rātou ki te kōwhiri i tētahi ingoa whakangahau mō aua momo, ā, he tokomaha kē kua whakaingoatia ki ngā ingoa o ngā tāngata rongonui.
I tapaina tētahi pāua-iti (amphipod shrimp) i kitea i ngā ākau koura o Initonīhia ko Leucothoe eltoni, i muri i te kaiwaiata rongonui a Sir Elton John, nā te mea i whakamahara tōna tinana kanapa, purotu ki ngā kākahu atamira whakaihiihi a te kaiwaiata.
I tapaina tētahi pungāwerewere nui i kitea i Amerika ko Aptostichus barackobamai, hei whakanui i ngā mahi a te Perehitini o mua o Amerika a Barack Obama ki te tautoko i te pūtaiao me te tiaki taiao.
I tapaina tētahi poroka noho awaawa e noho ana i ngā ngahere ua o Ecuador ko Hyloscirtus princecharlesi, i muri i a Kīngi Tiāre, i tērā wā he pirinihi anō ia, hei whakanui i āna mahi tiaki i ngā ngahere ua.
He tokomaha ngā kaiwaiata kua whai ingoa kararehe anō. I tapaina tētahi rō (parasitoid wasp) ko Aleiodes shakirae, i muri i te kaiwaiata a Shakira, nā te mea ka kōpiko haere te anuhe e whāngaia ana e taua rō i tētahi āhua i whakamahara ai ngā kairangahau ki ana nekehanga kanikani rongonui, ā, i tapaina hoki tētahi rango waka he pāraharaha kanapa tōna ko Plinthina beyonceae, i muri i a Beyoncé.
E whā ngā momo rango-kōwhai (damselfly) i tapaina ki ngā ingoa o ngā mema o te tautōkena a Queen — arā a Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, me John Deacon.
Ko ētahi atu ingoa rongonui e noho tonu ana i te ao kararehe ko tētahi rau-rau (millipede) i tapaina i muri i te kaiwaiata a Taylor Swift, me ētahi atu momo i whakaingoatia hei whakanui i te kaiwhakatairanga taiao a Greta Thunberg.
He whakamaharatanga whakangahau tēnei nō te whanokē o ngā kaiputaiao, ahakoa e whakaingoa ana rātou i ngā momo hou mō ngā rekoata o mua.
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