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New Insect Species Purchased On EBay

Posted by samzenpus on from the what-a-bargain dept.

SpuriousLogic writes "A scientist who bought a fossilized insect on the web auction site eBay for £20 has discovered that it belongs to a previously unknown species of aphid. The bug has been named Mindarus harringtoni after the scientist."

4 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Previously Unknown Species by corsec67 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That is "something that spins for a long time with no external input of energy", not a perpetual motion engine.

    People have been making that mistake for a long time.

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    If I have nothing to hide, don't search me
  2. Re:How the aphid must feel by Kenoli · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The life of an aphid was already pretty sucky in the first place

    ba dum ching

  3. eBug? by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Do all names have to sound latin?

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    Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    1. Re:eBug? by TheLink · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Using latin makes it easier to know when you're talking about the "scientific name", since most people don't use latin for talking about other stuff.

      Then scientists know you're trying to refer to a specific creature/thing.

      It's similar thing for technical terms. Use of mostly "normal english" is good when you're trying to explain stuff to the general public, but it's usually more precise and efficient to use the correct technical terms when speaking with specialists in the field.

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