[Taxacom] Naming species to offend rival taxonomists

[Michael Heads]

Linnaeus honored his critic, Siegesbeck, by naming an inconspicuous, foul-smelling weed after him,
Sigesbeckia (Compositae).

Michael Heads

Wellington, New Zealand.


My papers on biogeography: http://tiny.cc/HeadsPubs
My new book 'Molecular Panbiogeography of the Tropics': http://tiny.cc/MolPanbio



________________________________
 From: "Beth.Mantle at csiro.au" <Beth.Mantle at csiro.au>
To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu 
Sent: Friday, 13 January 2012 2:57 PM
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/beth.mantle@csiro.au> | www.csiro.au  | www.csiro.au/places/anic | www.csiro.au/places/anwc
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