New species!

[Pyrite]

I mean, I definitely see the resemblance! I notice often that new species are given names relating to pop culture. I wonder if it's meant to foster an attachment from fans of the franchises to benefit the species in the long term? Having said that, it might just be the naturalists' version of creating ironic acronyms, which is what all the chemists and physicists do.

[Kyng]

I mean, I definitely see the resemblance! I notice often that new species are given names relating to pop culture. I wonder if it's meant to foster an attachment from fans of the franchises to benefit the species in the long term? Having said that, it might just be the naturalists' version of creating ironic acronyms, which is what all the chemists and physicists do.

Well, I expect it gets a bit of attention from the fan bases - but really, I think it's just the scientists paying homage to their favourite franchises !

[Kyng]

A new species of ankylosaur has been discovered on the Isle of Wight, and named Vectipelta barretti:


(Source: PA Media / Above article)

Does look quite intimidating, I must say!

[Kyng]

Harrison Ford now has a species of snake named after him - called Tachymenoides harrisonfordi:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66516576

It's actually not the first time an animal species has been named after this actor: there was already a spider named Calponia harrisonfordi, and an ant named Pheidole harrisonfordi. However, I think the snake offers the most irony value !

[Kyng]

Five new species of hedgehog have been discovered:


(Source: Charoenchai Tothaisong / Smithsonian; View licence terms)

They're all from south-east Asia, and they're quite different from the hedgehogs you might know: they're furry instead of spiky .

Rather cute, though !

[Kyng]

A new species of dinosaur has been discovered in Japan. Due to its small size (length of 3m, height of 10m), it has been named after gnomes:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/scien...07433.html

Its scientific name is Sasayamagnomus saegusai, meaning "a small humanoid spirit guarding hidden treasures under the ground of Sasayama" .

[Kyng]

A tiny species of chameleon has been discovered by tourists in Madagascar:


(Source: ATTA)

I was going to say "I'm not surprised it took so long, given that they're so well-camouflaged" - but, that's kind of the point of chameleons !

[Opal Fruit]

Cutie! 

That species of hedgehog, you can see how it looks like one without the spikes -- didn't expect there to exist a spineless hedgehog, but there we go! Also looks like a large shrew. Another cutie. 🦔 

So interesting that new species can still be found, and which aren't just the zillionth species of arthropod.

[WhyMe007]

Cutie! 

That species of hedgehog, you can see how it looks like one without the spikes -- didn't expect there to exist a spineless hedgehog, but there we go! Also looks like a large shrew. Another cutie. 🦔 

So interesting that new species can still be found, and which aren't just the zillionth species of arthropod.

I agree it is cute... Almost like a shrew with its long nose