2018-10-01_Reader_s_Digest_AUNZ

94 | October• 2018

MEET DAVID BOWIE, THE SPIDER

issues surrounding nature and con-

servation. It also allows scientists to

highlight some human-like traits in

these animals and ultimately make

them a bit more relatable.

“We’re always trying to find ways

of calling attention to major issues in

conservation and climate change,”

says Agnarsson. “This way, the gen-

eral public will hear about it.”

Some real (but obscure) Latin

words won’t get many headlines, but

the Neopalpa donald trumpi moth

with a yellowish-white coif of scales

managed to get people talking.

Among the spiders Agnarsson
named are Spintharus davidbowiei
(not the first creature named after
Bowie), S. david attenboroughi (not
even close to the irst creature to be
named after Sir David Attenborough),
and S. leonardo dicaprioi (Spintharus
being the spiders’ genus).
Agnarsson says some species are
named this way because scientists
have trouble getting the public in-
terested in their studies. Identif ying
them with a recognisable person is a
way to raise awareness and provide
an opportunity to learn about the

CAN YOU MATCH THEDISCOVERY

TO ITSCELEBRITY?

PHOTO: BRYAN LESSARD/COURTESY CSIRO

MOTHERBOARD.VICE.COM (SEPTEMBER 26, 2017), © 2017 BY VICE STUDIO CANADA, INC.

Answers: 1-F; 2-C; 3-H; 4-G; 5-A; 6-I; 7-D; 8-B; 9-E

DISCOVERY

1. Bunny from the Florida Keys


2. Bright orange mushroom that
   can soak up and wring out water


3. Hippo-like prehistoric animal
   with massive lips


4. Ancient marine creature with
   an hourglass shape on its head


5. Horsefly with a gold- coloured
   rear (pictured)


6. Extinct sea creature with
   claws Edward Scissor hands would
   be proud of


7. Fly whose legs go bowlegged
   when it dies


8. Slime-mould beetle with a
   helmet head


9. Shrimp with bright
   pink-red claws

SPECIES NAME

A. Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae

(Beyoncé)

B. Agathidium vaderi (Darth Vader)

C. Spongiforma squarepantsii

(SpongeBob SquarePants)

D. Campsicnemus charlie chaplini

(Charlie Chaplin)

E. Synalpheus pinkfloydi

(Pink Floyd)

F. Sylvilagus palustris hefneri

(Hugh Hefner)

G. Norasaphus (Norasaphites)

monroeae (Marilyn Monroe)

H. Jaggermeryx naida

(Mick Jagger)

I. Kootenichela deppi

(Johnny Depp)