Why are certain organisms named after people?

[Andreas' Reef]

Sometimes in the reef you'll see fish with names like

Talbot's Damselfish

Kaudern's Cardinalfish

Desjardin's tang

etc.

I'm curious as to why they are named like that. My guess is it is the biologist that studied them.

 

[blaxsun]

Sometimes it's just to honor someone. Or just be stupid...

Crustacean (Cirolana mercuryi) ... Freddy Mercury
Fish (Materpiscis attenboroughi) ... David Attenborough
Acorn worm (Yoda purpurata) ... Yoda

 

[Wasabiroot]

When a new species is described (i.e. formally named) the discoverer has the honor of naming the species. Sometimes it's the discoverer, but often it's someone influential to the researcher, a pioneer in the field, or something along those lines that ends up being used.

I believe Dave Barry has a blood sucking louse named after him because the team loved his books.

See also Blaxsun's post re: honorific.

It's rare that a scientist will name something after themselves.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

When a new species is described (i.e. formally named) the discoverer has the honor of naming the species. Sometimes it's the discoverer, but often it's someone influential to the researcher, a pioneer in the field, or something along those lines that ends up being used.

I believe Dave Barry has a blood sucking louse named after him because the team loved his books.

See also Blaxsun's post re: honorific.

It's rare that a scientist will name something after themselves.

I think its really cool how they are named after people.

 

[ReefEco]

If I remember correctly, a scientist can't name a species after themself - or it is thought of in poor taste, so sometimes it is done as a nod to a colleague or mentor, etc. or as a honorary tribute...

 

[Andreas' Reef]

If I remember correctly, a scientist can't name a species after themself - or it is thought of in poor taste, so sometimes it is done as a nod to a colleague or mentor, etc. or as a honorary tribute...

Mhm, that seams pretty reasonable. It would probably be an to have a species of fish named after you XD