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: Strategus longichomperus
Don’t get it? I'll just leave it as a problem for you to get your teeth into.
What is it? A tank-like beetle with long mandibles. Sounds like the kind of thing you'd want to leave well alone.
Where are they found? Central and South America.
When was it first named? 1976.
Who deserves the credit? Brett Ratcliffe, Professor of Entomology at the University of Nebraska State Museum.
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Is there a picture? Yes, but unfortunately it's not really taken from chomper-admiring position, so you'll just have to take it from me and Professor Ratcliffe that those mandibles are impressive. However, you can admire the beetle's triceratops-like thorax. Only the males have these 'horns' which they use to fight each other for a burrow or feeding site - their hopes for gaining the ladies' favour.Check out some other strange species names here.
More regular features:
Monday: Phunny Phobias
Wednesday: Doctor Doctor
Thursday: Peculiar Periodicals
Friday: End of week timewasters
Title image: Carlos Gustavo Curado
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