The Lighter Side of Science: Strange and Wonderful Scientific Species Names
In the realm of science, naming newly discovered species is a serious endeavor, but it’s not always a dry and boring affair. Scientists often inject a bit of humor, whimsy, and even insult into the process, resulting in some truly bizarre and wonderful species names.
Linnaeus’s Legacy
In the 1750s, Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus devised a system for naming species that is still used today. However, zoologists have had a bit of fun with it over the centuries, coining some truly unusual names.
Beetles, Spiders, and Flies, Oh My!
Take, for example, the beetle named Agra vation or the spider named Draculoides bramstokeri. There’s also a fish named after Frank Zappa, a crustacean genus named for Godzilla, and a fly called Dicrotendipes thanatogratus after the Grateful Dead.
Entomologists and Their Muses
Entomologists, in particular, seem to have a knack for giving their discoveries memorable names. One entomologist named a genus of bugs after his mistress, while another, who was also a bigamist, named species after his two wives.
Honor or Insult?
Having a scientific colleague name a new species after you can be an honor or an insult, depending on the name they choose. The genus name Dyaria was coined by an amateur lepidopterist who thought he was honoring a colleague named Dyar, but it turned out to be a misspelling of the intended honoree’s name.
The Potential for Peculiar Nomenclature
The potential for bizarre and jokey nomenclature in scientific species naming is almost limitless. A Smithsonian researcher estimates that there are 30 million species on Earth, most of them insects, and they all need names.
Humor in Science
The use of humor in scientific species naming is not just a matter of amusement. It can also serve to highlight the unique characteristics of a species or to honor the contributions of scientists in a lighthearted way.
Examples of Strange and Wonderful Species Names
Here are a few more examples of strange and wonderful scientific species names:
- Bolitoglossa odiosum (a salamander named “odious”)
- Condylostylus disjunctus (a fly named “disjointed”)
- Haetera esmeralda (a moth named “emerald”)
- Latrodectus mactans (a spider named “black widow”)
- Phallusia nigra (a sea squirt named “black phallus”)
Conclusion
The practice of giving unusual and humorous names to scientific species is a testament to the creativity and sense of humor of scientists. It adds a touch of levity to the serious work of taxonomy and helps to make the world of science a more colorful and entertaining place.