Newly discovered shrimp named after Pink Floyd

[chahlley]

(Science Today Thursday 13 April 2017)

Newly discovered shrimp named after Pink Floyd

A shrimp (left) that uses sonic waves to knock out its prey has been named after

rockers Pink Floyd, who have also had an asteroid (19367 Pink Floyd) and a wasp

(Cephalonomia pinkfloydi) named after them. Photos: AFP

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Published: 5:50 PM, April 13, 2017

LONDON — A newly-discovered shrimp species with a bright pink claw and the ability to produce one of the loudest sounds in the ocean has been named after legendary British band Pink Floyd, zoologists said on Wednesday (April 12).

Synalpheus pinkfloydi has a bright pink claw that, “just like all good rock bands”, can produce large amounts of sonic energy, according to a post on the blog of the University of Oxford’s Museum of Natural History.

Zoologist Sammy de Grave, a lifelong Pink Floyd fan who works at the museum, said the shrimp’s discovery off the coast of Panama was “the perfect opportunity to finally give a nod to my favourite band”.

By closing its distinctive claw at rapid speed, the shrimp can produce a sound strong enough to stun or even kill a small fish.

A description of the shrimp appeared in the journal Zootaxa on Wednesday and the Oxford team featured the shrimp in fictitious covers for the legendary British rock band’s albums Animals and The Wall.

“I often play Pink Floyd as background music while I’m working,” Mr de Grave said.

“But now the band and my work have been happily combined in the scientific literature”. AFP