[Taxacom] Naming species to offend rival taxonomists

[Jan Bosselaers]

It is also said that Linnaeus named the yellowish, brown striped Cypraea isabella after Isabel of Spain, who did not change her underwear for three years during the siege of Ostend. Regrettably, the story is not entirely true: the word "isabel" was already in use at the time for a certain yellowish-brown colour, but that word was indeed referring to said underwear.

Regards,

Jan Bosselaers

Dr. Jan Bosselaers
web: http://www.dochterland.org

"You know I used to lose my mind, but now I'm old, now I'm free...
I see waves break in foams on my horizons, I'm shining..." The Chemical Brothers

> 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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