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First, a new snake species was named Salazar Slytherin after one of the founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and now, some of our favourite Marvel superheroes have their own species named after them!
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Recently, scientists at the Australian federal government agency CSIRO (The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) were tasked to give scientific names to 165 new species this year, of which, five flies species were to be given names after the world’s favourite superheroes and villains from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
First off, we have the Thor fly whose scientific name is "Daptolestes bronteflavus," which is derived from Latin and translates into “blond thunder”. And as we all know, Thor of course is the God of Thunder and is also blonde...
According to CNN, “the Thor fly has flecks of gold and light brown on its body, antennae, and face, calling to mind Thor's blond hair and the gold features on his outfits.
Next, we have a fly named after Thor’s brother, the God of Mischief - Loki.
With the scientific name "Daptolestes illusiolautus" that means “elegant deception”, this fly species’ name suits Loki who is often found faking his death, betraying other and using illusions.
Natasha Romanoff too has her own fly species, the "Daptolestes feminategus," that means woman wearing leather which of course references Black Widow’s iconic leather suits.
And of course, everyone’s favourite anti-hero also has a fly species of his own! The fly has an orange-red and black colour, and it even shares similar markings to Deadpool’s mask!
"We chose the name Humorolethalis sergius (for Deadpool). It sounds like lethal humor and is derived from the Latin words humorosus, meaning wet or moist, and lethalis meaning dead," said CSIRO entomologist Dr. Bryan Lessard.
What’s more? The Deadpool fly is a species of Robber fly, which are “assassins of the insect world,” which of course fits just right with Ryan Reynolds’ character.
And last but not least, the scientists at CSIRO decided to honour the late Stan Lee with his own fly species too!
Named "Daptolestes leei”, the fly species even has markings on its face that’s reminiscent of the late Marvel icon, that looks like his legendary sunglasses and white moustache.
According to CSIRO’s statement, naming newly discovered species is an "important superpower in solving many of the world's challenges.”
Besides naming the five new fly species after our Marvel favourites, the scientists also named “151 new insects, eight new plants, two new fish, one new mite, three new subspecies of bird, and 25 marine invertebrates, some of which were discovered several decades ago and remained unnamed, while others were a more recent find.”
Naming a new species is not just a fun process for scientists, it is also vital for researchers, conservationists, and other types of experts, so that they are able to identify and differentiate between species and learn more about them and to “help save their lives and our own.”
So far, only about a quarter of Australian insects are known to science.
“The more species are named, the better we can understand their super powers,” the statement read.
Next time you see a fly buzzing around, it could just be a superhero fly! Maybe…
Have you named a pet after a Marvel superhero? Let us know!
Info via CNN