[Taxacom] Naming species to offend rival taxonomists

[Robin Leech]

Hi Beth,

Well, I can give one name, Proconsul, Hopwood, 1933.  There is some pretty
earthy reasoning for naming after a person whom 
Hopwood did not like. It is named after a District Officer in East Africa, I
believe.  I gave a quick check, but could not find the earthy stuff.

In the entomology world, there are many entomologists who named species
after their girlfriends, mistresses and such, usually as anagrams.

To be accepted for publication, I'm thinking they would have to be a bit
more subtle than your last sentence suggests.

Robin

-----Original Message-----
From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
[mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of
Beth.Mantle at csiro.au
Sent: January-12-12 6:58 PM
To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
Subject: [Taxacom] Naming species to offend rival taxonomists

Hello everyone,

I'm a long-time taxacom lurker and a first-time poster.

I've been invited to write a small popular article on the
interesting/lighter side of naming species. I have come across Mark Isaak's
great site www.CuriousTaxonomy.net, which has some lovely examples.

However, I recall reading or hearing a story about two rival taxonomists who
traded insults with each other by rudely naming new species after the other
(along the lines of "this is so named because it is fat and hairy, just like
Dr Joe Blogs).

Does anyone recall this? If it is true, and not an urban legend, any
pointers to the original tale would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Beth

________________________________
Dr Beth Mantle
Collection Management & Delivery (part-time)
Australian National Insect Collection | Australian National Wildlife
Collection
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences

Executive Officer (part-time) to Joanne Daly - Strategic Advisor
Environment Group - CSIRO

Phone: +61 2 6246 4281 | Fax: +61 2 6246 4264
beth.mantle at csiro.au<applewebdata://C93947AE-4595-4B24-A288-DC5AAC97FFA2/bet
h.mantle at csiro.au> | www.csiro.au  | www.csiro.au/places/anic |
www.csiro.au/places/anwc
Address: GPO Box 1700 , Canberra ACT 2601

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