An evolutionary biologist has named a newly discovered moth "Neopalpa donaldtrumpi."
An evolutionary biologist going through the moth collection at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis came across a few specimens that did not appear to belong to any known species.
Further study revealed that Dr. Vazrick Nazari had, indeed, found a previously unknown variety of the flying creatures.
A press release about the discovery notes, "The new moth, officially described as Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, stands out with yellowish-white scales present on the head in adults. In fact, it was in these scales that the author found an amusing reference to Mr. Trump's hairstyle and turned it into an additional justification for its name."
Another factor in giving the moth the Trump name was to hopefully spare the species from the complete loss of its already threatened natural habitat by raising awareness of its existence and its plight.
Said Nazari, "The discovery of this distinct micro-moth in the densely populated and otherwise zoologically well-studied southern California underscores the importance of conservation of the fragile habitats that still contain undescribed and threatened species...By naming this species after the 45th President of the United States, I hope to bring some public attention to, and interest in...better understanding the neglected micro-fauna component of the North American biodiversity."
An evolutionary biologist going through the moth collection at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis came across a few specimens that did not appear to belong to any known species.
Further study revealed that Dr. Vazrick Nazari had, indeed, found a previously unknown variety of the flying creatures.
A press release about the discovery notes, "The new moth, officially described as Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, stands out with yellowish-white scales present on the head in adults. In fact, it was in these scales that the author found an amusing reference to Mr. Trump's hairstyle and turned it into an additional justification for its name."
Another factor in giving the moth the Trump name was to hopefully spare the species from the complete loss of its already threatened natural habitat by raising awareness of its existence and its plight.
Said Nazari, "The discovery of this distinct micro-moth in the densely populated and otherwise zoologically well-studied southern California underscores the importance of conservation of the fragile habitats that still contain undescribed and threatened species...By naming this species after the 45th President of the United States, I hope to bring some public attention to, and interest in...better understanding the neglected micro-fauna component of the North American biodiversity."
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