Nutty Nomenclature
All species of organism are given their own specific name by the taxonomist who first describes them. Every now and again the taxonomists allow themselves to have a little bit of fun. This is our guide to some more mischievously named species.
Name: Anodonta dejecta
Don’t get it? Simply the use of the word deject, which is made all the more sad by the fact that the poor little bugger's common name is the woebegone floater.
What is it? A probably-extinct species of freshwater mussel.
Where was it found? Southwest USA.
When was it first named? 1875.
Who deserves the credit? Dr Jas Lewis
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Is there a picture? The story of the woebegone floater is a sad one, and there aren't even any photos to illustrate its demise. The image (click on it to enlarge) is a European swan mussel, which looks similar. Described from fossil remains in 1875, a few living individuals of Anodonta dejecta were discovered in 1922. Recent surveys, however, have failed to find any living specimens and it seems that the sad little fella has suffered its final rejection. Woebegone indeed. Other Anodontas with peculiar monikers include Anodonta imbicilis and Anodonta cataracta: dejected, blind imbeciles - it's not looking good for the mussels is it? Check out some other weird species names here.
Null's other regular features:
Monday: Phunny Phobias
Wednesday: Doctor Doctor
Thursday: Peculiar Periodicals
Friday: End of week timewasters
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