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Elizabeth Brill
A Caribbean fish known as the French grunt is infested with gnathiid isopods.
The late Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley is the latest celebrity to be honored with a scientific species name. It's not the most glamorous species — in fact, it's a blood-feeding fish parasite — but there's no question that Gnathia marleyi knows how to "stir it up" in Caribbean coral reefs.
It's the Caribbean connection that prompted the name, which is listed along with a description of the species in the June 6 issue of the journal Zootaxa.
"I named this species, which is truly a natural wonder, after Marley because of my respect and admiration for Marley's music," Paul Sikkel, a marine biologist at Arkansas State University, said in a news release from the National Science Foundation. "Plus, this species is as uniquely Caribbean as was Marley."
G. marleyi is a type of gnathiid isopod, a small crustacean that hides in corners of eastern Caribbean coral reefs. When the right kinds of fish come by, the juveniles jump out and attach themselves to suck their blood. But when they grow into adults, they stop feeding. "We believe that adults subsist for two to three weeks on the last feedings they had as juveniles and then die, hopefully after they have reproduced," Sikkel said.
Sikkel and his colleagues found specimens of the tiny isopods about 10 years ago in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They're so common there that Sikkel assumed that the species had already been described — but after he sent a specimen to another member of his research team, Nico J. Smit of South Africa's North-West University, he received word that the critter hadn't been written up in the literature.
John Artim / Arkansas State Univ.
This close-up shows an adult male gnathiid. The adult males look entirely different from the juveniles and are used by taxonomists to identify species.
Researchers went through the laborious process of raising the juvenile isopods up to adulthood so they could be properly described. Specimens of G. marleyi will be housed indefinitely at the American Museum of Natural History in New York for reference.
The reason why Sikkel and his colleagues have been spending so time with Caribbean coral-reef parasites is because they suspect that such species may serve as an indicator of coral-reef health. Coral degradation may create habitats more conducive for parasites to attack their fishy hosts. Those parasites, in turn, may transmit blood-borne diseases and accelerate the decline of fish communities.
That's not to say that G. marleyi is all bad: Sikkel points out that they are "the most important food item for cleaner fishes, and thus key to understanding marine cleaning symbioses." (It's worth noting that other breeds of isopods can grow to horror-movie dimensions.)
Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981, at the age of 36, and it's an open question whether he would have welcomed having a parasite named in his honor. As cartoonist Gary Larson said after a species of louse was named Strigiphilus garylarsoni, "You have to grab these opportunities when they come along." But even if Marley fans are not also fans of gnathiid isopods, they can take heart in the fact that Marley has other critters named after him — such as the "Bob Marley sponge" (Pipestela candelabra), which is found in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
More about celebrity species names:
- The Hoff just loves his crabs
- What's in a scientific name? (Scroll down)
- One way to get a species named after you
- Rename Homo sapiens? The idea seems unwise
Alan Boyle is msnbc.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
Leave a Comment:
i wonder if "Queen" Rita Marley will ask for a fee for use of the Marley name. She's certainly capitalized on it in other ways not entirely in line with her dead husband's legacy.
About right!
He shot the sheriff,
but he did not shoot the par-a-site!
What cr@p. What do you care how she capitalized anyway? What a d!ck thing to say.
He would have been too 'stoned' to care anyway.
boo - why don't you name it cheney or rupert murdock or after one of the oil companies?
Or like one of those wallet feeding parasites like the Obamas killinus
Just call it a lawyer and be done with it.
ha,haa nice one danimyl .... but these parasites are evil so Cheneyi or murdochius would be an appropriate name.
LoLz yeah that would have been a much better fit, ......the symbolism
Why didn't call it BohnerPhilus or something other than Marley ?
I totally agree. The parasite should not be named after Marley. It was the societal parasites Marley preached against. What a Got damm joke.
Bob's music gets in my head, infects my brain, and sucks out the negativity.
Its just like a parasite.
All in the name of science I suppose.
Best line re scientific names must be from the movie Master and Commander the Far Side of the World when the Dr. and Scientist suggests that he might find something new in the Galapagos and name it after him, The Commander, played by Russel Crowe responds that it was his hope that it would be "prickly and hard to eradicate".
I've been Bob Marley'd a few times myself....
Yah mon....
perhaps it's named after Bob Marley because Bob Marley was nothing but a parasite himself?
Ras Clot!! Bob Marley and Peter Tosh were prophets warning mankind of the evil bloodsucking vampires. Repent before you become worm food.
Double Ras Clot!!! Wizard052763, clearly you know nothing about Bob Marley and was just trying to be funny. Bob sung against hippocrites and parasites in several of his songs. He spoke for the poor and told people they should "get up and stand up for their rights." There are many names you could call Bob, but parasite is not one of them. Listen to "One Love" and let Bob Marley and the Wailers chill you out.
Yep, Bob & all his clan members are parasites especially those in the U.S.
AnnieQP, you've obviously never met any Jamaicans or Rastafarians in your life!! We are not Clan members, neither are we parasites in the U.S. You should probably make comments on issues and cultures you are more familiar with. Unfortunately, I can tell that you are NOT educated enough to make any educated or sensible comments. Why don't you attempt to read a book? There still may be some hope for you and YOUR Parasitic kind. Hahahaha!! Your Ancestors must be proud!! With your dirty remarks!!!
I'm sure Bob is turning in his grave right about now, if this biologist was a real fan he'd know that Bob despised people who acted like "parasites"!
Do the parasite have teef?
The United States is infested with parasites that suck the life out of the economy. These vermin crawl up the anal tract and suck the life out of entrepreneurs in the form of reglation and taxes.
Maybe we can get Terminix to get rid of these parasites in November.
oh "cactuscat-breath" you're sarcasm isn't without a sense of irony. It wasn't a Democrat who started the 2nd Christian Crusades in Iraq, no you can leave that honor to the "K-Street gang" (George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc...)and Halliburton, oops I forgot, Cheney at "one time" had financial interests in Halliburton, so I suppose we shouldn't ought to be mentionen his name :(
Hey "cactuscat-breath", I suppose you're voting for the guy who says things like:
1) "The trees in Michigan are the right height"
and is has:
2) How much money in foreign banks ? (Swiss $1,000,000/Cayman Islands ?????)
3) Isn't yet comfortable showing all of his tax returns, even though he's the Republican front runner
4) paid only 15% in taxes.....wow, I wish I could pay only 15%, how about you cat-breath, how much did you pay ??
5) Is/has ? torn down a California mansion because the previous mansion wasn't good enough for him, AND is building/built ? a "car elevator"....yes a great example of fiscal responsibility that "good ole" Mormon boy is !!
6) Follows a religion started by the infamous polygamist JOSEPH SMITH in 1934, in western New York state, who was later lynched by a mob in Illinois (Illinois or Ohio?)
7) Wears denim to "fit in" with working folks-
So "cat-breath" are you voting for the culprit of Bain Capitol, Mitt Romney ???
And don't forget Romney's magic underpants...
Otto, you need to put down the pipe and go get some help. That that stuff you are smoking has rotted what little brain you have and your sense of reality is completely warped.
Considering what we know about the Arab from Kenya and his cast of idiots who won't give up the papers on Fast & Furious, your comment about Romney's tax returns is indeed stupid.
You think that Obama following Jeremiah Wright is better than the Mormons?
When it comes to fiscal responsibility, Your boys in DC have wasted more money in 3 years than all other presidents in history combined.
Remember in 2009 that your "Anointed One" looked Americans in the eye while reading the teleprompter and promised that in three years, his stimulus package would reduce the unemployment trate to 5.5 %. It is still over 9%.
Remember in 2010 before the election when the Damnedacrats passed Obamacare, he promised that you could keep youir private healthcare plan and your doctor. He also said that the mandatory payments were not a tax.
For all of the times his music has shifted my mood into a happier place as well as countless others; I have a hard time equating him to a parasite. I question anyone who wants to downplay a persons body of work which encompassed spreading a message of love and overcoming adversity.
Could not have said it better missoula. First thing I thought was, what an insult. I think this scientist has spent to much time out on the sea or maybe Marlyfied too much. Total lack of respect for a wonderful artist.
Dang wrong site. I saw parasite and thought is was post about the political system in the US. Oops my bad.
Bob Marley is the perfect ambassador for Jamaica. Have you ever been there? It's the filthiest place I've ever been to. It's a nation made up of lazy, shiftless, ambitionless, potheads. You can't walk for more than a block without being accosted by some stoned local trying to sell you drugs. When you decline, they get in your face and say, "What's the matter mon, you disrespectin' me?" Everywhere you look there's litter and old unfinished construction projects with people sitting around smoking pot who look like they haven't had a bath in weeks.
Yep, parasites. Bob Marley would have been proud.
Sounds a lil like Chicago.....
54BUICK. OMG What a terrible thing to say about Jamaica and it's people. I am in the travel industry and have been there 67 times in the last 17 years. It is my biggest selling destination, and probably one of the few places in the world where I feel real safe. In this business 99.9 per cent love Jamaica and their people. Maybe you didn't go into their homes on the People to People program and experienced their kindness and love. Maybe you went into the ghetto, in your own home town, where you came from, and took a good look at it??? What a disgrace. Listen, I just got a 5 month old Jack Russell Terrier, tri color, smooth hair and short legs, and is absolutely beautiful. I wan to name it Jamaica, or Jami, or Jackie, but the i've decided to name it MARLEY. Yes in honor of Bob Marley and because of my love for that island and it's inhabitants. Maybe you have no money to go to Jamaica and just go by whatever ignorant people tells you. GET A LIFE. VIVA BOB MARLEY......YEAH MON
Been there once. That was enough. Drove from Montego Bay to Dunn's River and back. It was a mess the entire trip. The towns were trashed and the road was terrible. Stopped at a pulled pork sandwich stand on the way and went to use the restroom before I ordered when I noticed that there were no hand washing facilities in the restroom and it was the only restroom available for the employees. Needless to say, I didn't order anything. I will never go back. I'm not the only one who feels that way. I know a lot of people who have been there and they all say the same thing.
I would venture to say most of your clients who liked it stayed at an all-enclusive resort where you don't have to leave.
Hey, 54buick, Bob had a job, he was a musician.
I too spent a month there one night. We stayed in Ocho Rios. Nice resort, but you leave there make damn sure your up to date on immunizations, have heavy duty firepower, always answer the begging with NO! Worst money I have ever spent and needless to say will never return. If I want to see Jamaica again will go to New York City.
Try Afghanistan you spoiled brat/parasite.
Other guy, was that an accident or actual humor when u said u spent a month there one night? LOL
Harry, not a typo, one night in that hell-hole is like a month in most places.
CPT America, no thanks. I didn't say it was worse than Afganistan, just that it's a crappy place. It is. The Muslims in the Middle East pretty much have the corner on trashing the earth.
54Buick: So you've been to Jamaica once and you're and you know all about the place. I lived in Jamaica 20 years and just might know a little more than you.
Jamaica is one of the most beautiful and geographically diverse countries I have seen. Have you hiked up to Blue Mountain Peak to experience near freezing temperatures on this tropical island. Have you explored one of the numerous caves. Have you ever been inside of a Jamaican home, eat with them and shared experiences. Obviously not. You toured from Mo Bay to Ocho Rios; the well beaten path of American tourists.
Yes, Jamaica is a poor but beautiful country with the friendliest and most optimistic people on earth. Too bad you never met them---they might have changed your distorted view of this small but magnificent country.
Should've been named after any one of the MANY politicans in the house, senate, congress and the Whites House...who are nothing but WHORES FOR WALL STREET AND BIG CORPORATIONS...
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The air WE breathe...
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OUR weather...and natural disasters...
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RRR- you like to go deep down the rabbit hole, not many have your ambition. But I have to clarify one of your points: They aren't really "Whores", they are really lazy, self-serving, corrupt, immoral, fake, hypocritical, lying, sneaky, scummy, crooks who can make a used car salesman or AC repairman look honest. The difference being that whores sell out their soul, yet don't get rich, now these folks make lots and lots of money, make no mistake about that, under the table or what ever, but they do make more money than whores.
These are the big fish (these are the big fish)
Who always try to eat down the small fish, a just the small fish.
I tell you again: they would do anything to materialize their every wish.
Oh-oh yeah-eah.
I Say: Woe to the downpressors:
They'll eat the bread of sorrow!
-Bob Marley, "Guiltiness"
These are the big fish (these are the big fish)
Who always try to eat down the small fish, a just the small fish.
I tell you again: they would do anything to materialize their every wish.
Oh-oh yeah-ah.
I Say: Woe to the downpressors:
They'll eat the bread of sorrow!
-Bob Marley, "Guiltiness"
What a bunch of phsyco babble!
Your comment was crazy the first time I read it. Twice was punishment.
@Tedge20, perfect lyrics.
Actually this parasite should be named after the Kardashians !!!!!!!
Sadly I agree with you. Or name it after Snooki.
Snooki, eh? What should the scientific name be? Skankis Cockeaterus? Orangerius Whorish Midgetori? Guidetteio Dumbassi Syphlessi Drippus? Putredi Oralnanal Herpetorium?
I Like choices one and three.
I think politics are a parasite because it doesn’t matter if the subject is about cupcakes, unicorns and sunshine someone’s always going to contaminate it!
This parasite should be named after the Kardashians !!!!!!!!!!
Should have called it Allah! [:-0]
Or Jesus! He had no job, accepted offerings (welfare), tried to discredit the hard working bankers (moneylenders) and needed a damn haircut. BTW I don't wanta pay no DAMN taxes!
I think Bob deserves recognition, but better than this. Bill Clinton comes to mind, though.
I think this is quite stupid, honestly. Bob Marley deserves to be honored, but not named after a blood-sucking parasite (that occasionally becomes food itself). Everyone who reads this story who is a fan of Bob will probably have the same visceral reaction to the news as I did. This is poor taste, and Mr. Paul Sikkel should definitely keep his day job. He's no comedian for sure.
You are in idiot!! Go back yo your hole you Stinking Dutty Rassclaat
Vampire!!!
why not micheal jackass instead.
I suppose we would have to know this scientist to know his reasoning for naming it after Bob Marley. I sincerely hope it was out of respect for the man.
Bob Marley is the #1 selling artist in the WORLD. His music is highly loved and respected throughout. He accomplished much for Jamaica in his lifetime.
I also have been to Jamaica. The roads were muddy, the people poor, the busses cramped and the island hot, but it will stand out as a country of great dignity to me. When on the bus, a Jamacian standing in the front of the bus began singing the national anthem, and many others joined in. I was so moved by it. The people have so much pride in their country. It was an honor to visit there.