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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."

11 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. Alternate Name by Colonel+Korn · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The bug has been named Mindarus harringtoni after the scientist."

    The aphid was almost named Mindarus Goldseller145332 after the seller.

    --
    "I zero-index my hamsters" - Willtor (147206)
  2. How the aphid must feel by macraig · · Score: 4, Funny

    It must suck to be a fossilized aphid. The life of an aphid was already pretty sucky in the first place, but then to get entombed and sold on eBay? Oh the humiliation!

  3. Heh by DurendalMac · · Score: 4, Funny

    Upon further reflection, it has been renamed to Bastardis Sniperi

  4. Previously Unknown Species by corsec67 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Whatever you are looking for
    you can get it on eBay.
    www.eBay.com

    What next, getting an actual perpetual motion engine from eBay?

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    If I have nothing to hide, don't search me
    1. Re:Previously Unknown Species by damn_registrars · · Score: 5, Funny

      What next, getting an actual perpetual motion engine from eBay?

      You didn't think it would already be there?

      --
      Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    2. 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.

      --
      If I have nothing to hide, don't search me
    3. Re:Previously Unknown Species by Lazyrust · · Score: 5, Funny

      Thank god its NIB. I'd hate for someone to use up all the perpetual energy before I got it home.

  5. Ebay takes credit for the discovery by whtmarker · · Score: 4, Funny

    If was originally named ebayus aphidopholus, as the species was first discovered on ebay, but was later renamed due to trademark issues.

  6. Re:Pricey by Psychotria · · Score: 4, Funny

    I am also wondering about the description. Does the ebay auction description qualify as a formal description? If so, the type specimen description is going to be something like: "Very rare amber insect. One of a kind! Polished and made available to astute buyer. Bidding starts at only 15 pounds. Don't miss out out this outstanding specimen. Will look great as a broach. Cash only."

  7. To answer my own question: by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Do all names have to sound latin?

    Apparently, yes:

    "I had thought it would be rather nice to call it Mindarus ebayi," said Dr Harrington.
    "Unfortunately using flippant names to describe new species is rather frowned upon these days."

    Quantum physicists have all the fun. When properties of subatomic particles can have names like "Charmed" or "Strange", why can't a species have a fun name, too?

    --
    Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
  8. 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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