Name a Newly Discovered Species of Deepwater Shrimp
The Australian Marine Conservation Society is holding an Ebay auction to name a newly discovered species of deepwater shrimp.
Proceeds from the auction will go towards their marine conservation efforts. The auction will be open until March 31st.
Anna McCallum who is a graduate student at the University of Melbourne discovered the shrimp in the southwestern waters off Australia at a depth of about 400 meters. She decided to put the naming of the shrimp up for auction to raise money for conservation. The spotted shrimp has an unusual crest like a mohawk, and is about 5 cm. long.
The first part of the name has already been determined to be Lebbeus, because that is the family of shrimp the new one fits into taxonomically. The second part of the name will be determined by the winner of the auction. The convention is the second word in the name ends in the letter “i” for a male name and “ae” for a female name.
For example, if Keith Urban won the auction and wanted to honor his wife, Nicole Kidman, the shrimp’s name would be Lebbeus Nicolae. If Kevin Rose wins the auction he could choose Lebbeus Kevini. The name of the shrimp can not be that of a business entity, such as Lebbeus Diggi. Businesses, however, can participate in the auction.
The auction’s winner will also receive a painting by the artist Mali Moir. Also living in the same area of the unnamed shrimp are blue whales, bluefin tuna, and Australian fur seals. Less than one percent of the area currently has legal protection. Eighty percent of the species there are endemic, meaning they live only there.
Image Credit: Mali Moir
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