Rockin’ in the spider world: New species to carry Neil Young’s name
Neil Young: Performing in Ottawa in 2006
Courtesy Adrian M. BussWhat do you get for the legendary rock star who has everything? How about naming a new species of spider after him.
That’s just what has happened to Neil Young, the rock/folk/blues icon from Canada who rose to fame with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Pretty much a full-time solo performer now, Young has a new spider named for him.
Specifically, it’s the scientific name Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi. No word on what the common name for the spider, which as discovered last year in Alabama, will be. I’d lean toward calling it simply Neil.
Jason Bond, a biologist from East Carolina University, found the new species of trapdoor spider and opted to name it after his favorite performer.
Besides being a talented musician, Neil Young directs movies and has a huge hobbiest interest 
Trapdoor spider: Performing in a cobweb near you.
Courtesy LA Dawsonin trains. I can’t track down what his feelings are about spiders, however. And Young is not the first musician to have a creature named after him. A species of beetle that looks as if it is wearing a tuxedo -- the whirligig beetle, or Orectochilus orbisonorum -- was named earlier this year after the late rock 'n' roll legend Roy Orbison and his widow Barbara.
Of course, there are some unintentional rock artists connected to the animal kingdom by name. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist Flea comes quickly to mind. Can you think of any others? Share them here on the Buzz.
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One of the meat-eating dinosaurs found in Madagascar by former SMM paleontologist Kristi Curry Rogers and her colleagues is Masiakasaurus knopfleri. It's named for Mark Knopfler, the guitarist for Dire Straits--apparently a favorite on the dig site.
How about Lucy the Australopithecus discovered by Donald Johanson in 1973? Not her scientific name, but the old gal was nicknamed Lucy after the Beatles song LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS that was "playing loudly and repeatedly on a tape recorder in the camp." Also, Kristi Curry Rogers has a daughter named Lucy but I'm not sure there's a connection.
Mick Jagger, of the Rolling Stones, has not one but TWO species named after him. One, Anomphalus jaggerius, is a fossil mollusk. The other, Aegrotocatellus jaggeri, is a trilobite. (Even better: Aegrotocatellus means "sick puppy" in Latin.) Turns out Keith Richards has at least two species named after him, too.
There are also trilobites named after every member of the Sex Pistols, the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, and the Ramones.
Goodness, I found another one! An unusual new species of whirligig beetle from India has been named Orectochilus orbisonorum in honor of the late, great rock 'n' roll legend Roy Orbison (one of my faves). You can read about it and see a photo here.
Okay, I haven't dug through all these scientific names, but this list of animal rockers came to my head while laying in bed last night. This is a band of rock musicians who have common animal monikers as part of their names. Sharing the singing duties are Seal and Snoop Dogg. On guitar is Skunk Baxter (Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers). Playing bass is Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers). And on drums is Cougar Estrada (Los Lobos). Making a guest appearance will be Sting (named with an animalistic verb). Warming up for this all-star animal band would be, of course, The Animals. And naturally, they'll be playing at the Minnesota Zoo Concert Series this summer!!!!
thats dumb wht would you name a spider after someone
Kulyas
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