Researchers Name a Deep Sea Spiky Shelled Snail ‘A. strummeri’ After the Late, Great Joe Strummer of The Clash

A. strummeri Named Snails

Upon discovering a new species of spiky-shelled deep-sea snails that look very much alike but have differing genetic structure, researchers determined it would be most efficient to ascribe distinct names to each of the six variations. One such snail was given the name A. strummeri after the late, great Joe Strummer, the legendary singer and guitar player for The Clash. Lead researcher Shannon Johnson of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute told the Santa Cruz Sentinel why the name was chosen.

Because they look like punk rockers in the 70s and 80s and they have purple blood and live in such an extreme environment, we decided to name one new species after a punk rock icon.

images via Taylor & Francis Online

via Santa Cruz Sentinel

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.

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