Some scientists say the rules must be changed so plants and animals are not tagged with ‘objectionable’ names
In 1937, a brown, eyeless beetle was found in a few caves in Slovenia. The new species was unexceptional apart from one feature. Its discoverer decided to name it after Adolf Hitler.
Anophthalmus hitleri has an objectionable sound to modern ears. Nor is it alone. Many species’ names recall individuals or ideas that offend: the butterfly Hypopta mussolinii, for example, while several hundred plant species carry names based on the word caffra which is derived from a racial slur once used in Africa. Similarly Hibbertia, a genus of flowering plants, honours George Hibbert, an English slave owner.
About Author
More Stories
As a geneticist, I will not mourn 23andMe and its jumble of useless health information | Adam Rutherford
Trump extends deadline for TikTok sale to non-Chinese buyer to avoid ban
Biologist whose innovation saved the life of British teenager wins $3m Breakthrough prize