Some celebrities have inspired scientists and biologists to name new animal species after them. In fact, discovering new species can be quite difficult and sometimes requires years of hard work. Therefore, having a species named after you is undoubtedly a significant achievement, even if it is a type of parasitic wasp, or an endangered blind amphibian. Let's take a look at some species that are named after famous people. 
1. A species of snakes, spiders and ants is named after Harrison Ford. 
A species of snake native to Peru has been named by scientists in honor of actor Harrison Ford: Tachymenoides harrisonfordi. This was done in recognition of his environmental work as vice-chairman of Conservation International. A species of ant, Pheidole harrisonfordi, and a species of spider, Calponia harrisonfordi, are also named after the actor.
2The Horsefly Named After Beyoncé 
A species of horsefly, Scaptia beyonceae, was named after the singer Beyoncé. The insect was discovered in North Queensland, Australia, in 1981 - the year Beyoncé was born. The horsefly is considered a pest, but researchers hoped the new name would make it less likely to be killed in the region.
3. A species of parasitic riders is named after Lady Gaga 
A species of parasitic riders from the order Hymenoptera, Aleiodes gaga, was named after Lady Gaga. The length of these insects is only 5 mm. The species was discovered during a monographic study of the genus Aleiodes along with 178 other new species.
4. A butterfly and an endangered blind amphibian: Donald Trump 
Immediately when Donald Trump became President of the United States, a butterfly from the moth family, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, was named after him. The butterfly, discovered in California, has blond hairs on its head that closely reminded scientists of Trump's signature hairstyle. Researcher Vazrik Nazari, who discovered the species, hoped that the naming would encourage Trump to pay more attention to environmental protection.
A year later, during Trump's presidency, a blind, endangered amphibian that buries its head in the sand, Dermophis donaldtrumpi, was named in his honor. The name of the species was given by Aidan Bell, CEO of EnviroBuild, a company that produces environmentally friendly building materials. He paid $25,000 at auction for the right to name the species. Bell explained that the behavior of the amphibian burying its head in the ground was similar to Trump's approach to climate change. 
5. 9 species named after Barack Obama 
Obama has an entire "zoo" named after him. These include the mygalomorph spider Aptostichus barackobamai, named in recognition of his "wisdom and fortitude in public affairs," and the Obama lichen species, named for his support of science and education. Paragordius obamai is a species of parasitic worms from the group of hairworms, also named after Obama. It was discovered in Kenya and named after Obama's Kenyan heritage. Also named in his honor are the parasitic flatworms Baracktrema obamai, which live in the blood of turtles, and the bird species Nystalus obamai. He received this honor for his contribution to environmental conservation.
A number of fish species were also named after the former US president. These are Etheostoma obama - a species of ray-finned fish from the perch family, Obamadon gracilis - a species of extinct lizards, Tosanoides obama - a species of fish that lives in coral reefs. There is a red spot on the dorsal fin, reminiscent of the Obama campaign logo. Another fish is Teleogramma obamaorum, a species of African cichlid found in the Congo River. 
6. A praying mantis was named after the American judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 
The praying mantis species Ilomantis ginsburgae is named after US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The choice of name was influenced by her advocacy for gender equality, efforts to expand constitutional rights and protections for women, and her signature frilly lace collars.
7. Bob Marley and the isopod 
A species of parasitic isopod crustacean, Gnathia marleyi, is named after the late Jamaican musician Bob Marley. The species was discovered while exploring Caribbean coral reefs, and the name is a tribute to Bob Marley and his Caribbean heritage.
8. Crustacean species and Elton John 
In 2015, scientists discovered a new species of shrimp-like crustacean on Indonesian reefs - the species was named Leucothoe eltoni in honor of singer Elton John. This name was given to it by researcher James Thomas from the Florida College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography Halmos.
9. Centipede in honor of Taylor Swift 
The centipede species Nannaria swiftae, native to the United States, was named after the American singer Taylor Swift. Derek Hennen of Virginia Tech gave this name to the centipede as a token of gratitude to Swift: as he put it, the singer’s music helped him complete graduate school. The millipedes themselves, Nannaria swiftae, benefit the forest by playing an important role in decomposition and nutrient distribution in forest ecosystems.
10. A spider named after Bono 
Biologist Jason Bond of Auburn University has discovered and named 33 new species of mygalomorph spiders in Joshua Tree National Park in the California Desert, USA. One of the species is named Aptostichus bonoi, after U2 frontman Bono. The famous Joshua tree, by the way, was featured in U2's 1987 album called The Joshua Tree.
0 comments
