US scientists have named a newly discovered crooked-clawed centipede after Taylor Swift in recognition of the pop superstar’s “talent as a songwriter and performer”.
Virginia Tech researchers published a study in the journal ZooKeys detailing the millipede Nannaria swiftae alongside 17 other newly discovered species found in Appalachia in the US state of Tennessee.
The twisted claw part of the common name refers to the twisted claws on the legs of males.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Derek Hennen, revealed the names of some of the insect species that he and his team at Virginia Tech – Dr. Jackson Means and Dr. Paul Marek – had researched.
He also said he named the centipede the Nannaria swiftae – or Swift Twisted-Claw Millipede – after the Shake It Off singer.
Tweeting a photo of the insect, he wrote: “This new centipede species is Nannaria swiftae: I named her after @taylorswift13! I’m a huge fan of her music so wanted to show my appreciation by naming this new species from Tennessee after her. A great honor!
He added, “His music got me through the ups and downs of graduate school, so naming a new species of centipede after him is my way of saying thank you.”
The study authors also note why they named a centipede after Swift, explaining that it was “in recognition of his talent as a songwriter and performer and in appreciation of the pleasure his music has brought to DHA [Dr Derek A Hennen].”
Dr. Hennen also explained on Twitter that he and the other scientists spent five years researching centipedes in Appalachia.
So far, Nannaria swiftae has only been discovered in Tennessee, a state where Swift lived.
Other millipede species have also been given names with personal connections to Dr. Hennen, including Nannaria marianae in honor of his wife.
The Nannaria swiftae isn’t the first creature to be named after a much-loved celebrity.
A new species of poisonous snake, Atheris hetfieldi, was named after Metallica’s James Hetfield in 2020, while in 2019 four new species of spiders were discovered and named after members of bands of heavy metal Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Def Leppard and Angra.
US scientists have named a newly discovered crooked-clawed centipede after Taylor Swift in recognition of the pop superstar’s “talent as a songwriter and performer”.
Virginia Tech researchers published a study in the journal ZooKeys detailing the millipede Nannaria swiftae alongside 17 other newly discovered species found in Appalachia in the US state of Tennessee.
The twisted claw part of the common name refers to the twisted claws on the legs of males.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Derek Hennen, revealed the names of some of the insect species that he and his team at Virginia Tech – Dr. Jackson Means and Dr. Paul Marek – had researched.
He also said he named the centipede the Nannaria swiftae – or Swift Twisted-Claw Millipede – after the Shake It Off singer.
Tweeting a photo of the insect, he wrote: “This new centipede species is Nannaria swiftae: I named her after @taylorswift13! I’m a huge fan of her music so wanted to show my appreciation by naming this new species from Tennessee after her. A great honor!
He added, “His music got me through the ups and downs of graduate school, so naming a new species of centipede after him is my way of saying thank you.”
The study authors also note why they named a centipede after Swift, explaining that it was “in recognition of his talent as a songwriter and performer and in appreciation of the pleasure his music has brought to DHA [Dr Derek A Hennen].”
Dr. Hennen also explained on Twitter that he and the other scientists spent five years researching centipedes in Appalachia.
So far, Nannaria swiftae has only been discovered in Tennessee, a state where Swift lived.
Other millipede species have also been given names with personal connections to Dr. Hennen, including Nannaria marianae in honor of his wife.
The Nannaria swiftae isn’t the first creature to be named after a much-loved celebrity.
A new species of poisonous snake, Atheris hetfieldi, was named after Metallica’s James Hetfield in 2020, while in 2019 four new species of spiders were discovered and named after members of bands of heavy metal Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Def Leppard and Angra.