Parasite Named in Honor of Bob Marley's Music
Legendary reggae star Bob Marley has been honored in a slightly strange way, by having a small blood-sucking fish parasite named after him. A marine biologist from Arkansas State University baptized the parasite in his name in what he believed was an appropriate way to recognize the popular reggae musician.
According to the marine biologist, Paul Sikkel, the species' name was given out of "respect and admiration for Marley's music."
In the statement released in National Science Foundation he added, "Plus, this species is as uniquely Caribbean as was Marley."
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The parasitic crustacean blood feeder, now known as Gnathia marleyi, lives among Caribbean coral reefs. It usually hides in coral rubbles in its youth and clings on to the fish in Caribbean waters known as the French grout for food. Once it reaches adulthood it no longer feeds.
United States President Barack Obama, British royal Prince Charles, and rock legend Elvis Presley are among some of the other famous figures who have had a species named after them.
A type of lichen in the fungus genus Caloplaca was named after Obama for "his support of science and scientific education."
A type of gall wasp was named after Elvis Presley after one of his songs titled "All Shook Up."
After the discovery of a rare species of Ecuadorian stream frog, a scientist named the frog Hyloscirtus princecharlesi, when it was discovered four years ago.
