New Spider Species Named After Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Scorpions + Angra Members
Scientists naming newly discovered species after rock and metal artists is an increasing trend and one we all welcome. A Brazilian biologist just named four new species of spiders after members of Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Scorpions and Angra.
Christina Rheims, a specialist in spider taxonomy and specimen classification, is a rock and metal fan and when tasked with naming the new species of crawlers, she honored Maiden's Bruce Dickinson (Extraordinarius bruceickinsoni), Def Leppard's Rick Allen (Extraordinarius rickalleni), Scorpions' Klaus Meine (Extraordinarius klausmeinei) and late Angra singer André Matos (Extraordinarius andrematosi).
"This is the kind of music I like and I usually listen to," Rheims said in a report by Public Radio International.
These new species are part of the Sparianthinae family of spiders, which can be found in the Neotropical region from southern Mexico to Argentina. The "Extraordinarius" genus is a brand new classification of Rheims' creation.
"I've always wanted to honor Rick Allen because I think he's an example. You have a drummer that loses an arm, and he continues his career and he learns how to play with only one arm. So he's one of the Extraordinarius as well," said Rheims.
Allen celebrated the news on Twitter, exclaiming, "I am honored! Thank you, Christina Rheims! You rock!"
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