New species of Caribbean parasite named after musician Bob Marley

By Sahibzada Zaheen Iqbal
Correspondent SAM Daily Times


A blood sucking parasite has been named after the reggae, a music originating in the West Indies, legend Bob Marley. Researchers from Arkansas State University discovered the parasitic crustacean which infests fish that inhabit coral reefs in the eastern Caribbean.

The man behind the discovery is Paul Sikkel, assistant professor of marine ecology and field marine biologist.

"I named this species, which is truly a natural wonder, after Marley because of my respect and admiration for Marley's music. Plus, this species is as uniquely Caribbean as was Marley," the National Science Foundation quotes the scientist as saying.

These parasites hide within coral rubble, sea sponge or algae, waiting for the right fish to pass by. Then the animal infests it.

Naming new species after prominent people has been practiced for quite a while. Among the newly named species are lichen named after Barack Obama; a beetle named after comedian Stephen Colbert; a flower fly named after Bill Gates, and a wasp carrying the name of Elvis Presley.