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: Bugeranus carunculatus
Don’t get it? Then it's probably best to keep it that way - it's a bit rude.
What is it? The wattled crane, a large and graceful bird.
Where was it found? Sub-saharan Africa, especially the Okavango delta in Botswana.
When was it first named? 1789.
Who deserves the credit? Johann Friedrich Gmelin, a German naturalist. I assume that any childish pleasure we might extract from the name in this debauched present was unintended in the 18th Century. However, Gmelin did also name Prosobonia and Bubo virginianus - coincidence or dirty old man?
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Is there a picture? There is indeed - graceful they may be, pretty they ain't. (Click image to enlarge.) With a population of only about 8,000 the cranes have been listed as vulnerable to extinction mainly due to destruction of the wetland habitats on which they rely. They are the second tallest species of crane, standing six feet tall. 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
Title image: W/Alastair Rae
Main image: W/Coneslayer
Main image: W/Coneslayer
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