Arthur Anker; Kate Pocklington; Chris JarvisA group of Pink Floyd-loving scientists have named a new species of shrimp after the legendary British band, the U.K.’s Oxford University Museum of Natural History reports.
A species of pistol shrimp that has one enlarged bright-pink claw, discovered on the Pacific coast of Panama, has been given the scientific name Synalpheus pinkfloydi, according to a report published today in the Zootaxa zoological journal.
As the journal entry points out, Pink Floyd was known for its high-decibel performances, and a pistol shrimp is able to generate an impressive sonic punch of its own, by closing its large claw. The noise created by the crustacean is among the loudest sounds in the ocean, and can stun or kill a small fish.
Dr. Sammy De Grave, Head of Research at the museum and one of the journal report’s three authors, reveals that his love of Pink Floyd dates back to his teenage years.
“I have been listening to Floyd since The Wall was released in 1979, when I was 14 years old,” De Grave explains. “I’ve seen them play live several times since, including the Hyde Park reunion gig for Live 8 in 2005. The description of this new species of pistol shrimp was the perfect opportunity to finally give a nod to my favorite band.”
In honor of the new species, a couple of pieces of original artwork were created depicting the shrimp while also referencing Pink Floyd’s albums Animals and The Wall.
The species of pistol shrimp is the first crustacean ever to be named after Pink Floyd, though scientists previously named a type of damselfly after the band’s 1969 album Ummagumma.
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