Dermophis donaldtrumpi
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Dermophis donaldtrumpi is a proposed new species of caecilian, to be named after Donald Trump. It was originally discovered in Panama; it has yet to be confirmed as a new species, nor has the name yet been formally published.
Description
D. donaldtrumpi is about 10 cm (4 in) long, blind, shiny,[1] slimy,[2] looks like a large worm, slippery[3] and burrows,[1] living almost entirely underground.[3] Its eyes can detect light and dark only, so it uses a pair of tentacles near its mouth in order to find prey; it also has an extra layer of skin which their young can eat after peeling it off.[3]
According to the Rainforest Trust, amphibians such as Dermophis donaldtrumpi are particularly susceptible to the effects of global warming and are therefore in danger of becoming extinct.[1]
Naming
In December 2018 the Rainforest Trust completed an auction of naming rights for twelve newly discovered species of South American plants and animals,[4] the money going towards the conservation of the species' habitats.[1] The sustainable building materials company EnviroBuild paid $25,000 for the right to name the new amphibian. [5]
Aidan Bell, owner of EnviroBuild, said he named the species after Trump to raise awareness of Trump's policies on climate change and the danger those policies pose to the survival of many species. Bell said "It is the perfect name. Caecilian is taken from the Latin caecus, meaning 'blind', perfectly mirroring the strategic vision President Trump has consistently shown towards climate change."[1][6][7] Bell also asserted a parallel between the species' ability to see only light and dark, and Trump's being "Capable of seeing the world only in black and white."[2] According to the Washington Post, "The naming choice highlights the president’s dismal approval ratings worldwide and is clearly designed to belittle him."[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Carrington, Damian (December 18, 2018). "Blind creature that buries head in sand named after Donald Trump". The Guardian. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ a b "Business mocks Donald Trump by naming a 'blind,' wormlike animal after him". USA TODAY. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ a b c Robertson, Michelle (18 December 2018). "Blind, worm-like amphibian named after Donald Trump". SFGate. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/06/science/species-naming-auction-rainforest-trust.html
- ^ Antram, Alex. "Species Legacy Auction is a Resounding Win for Wildlife Conservation". Rainforest Trust. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ Bell, Aidan (December 18, 2018). "EnviroBuild name an amphibian in honour of Donald Trump's commitment to environmental issues". EnviroBuild. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ Daughtery, Owen (December 18, 2018). "Blind amphibian that buries head in sand named after Trump". The Hill. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ "A blind, wormlike amphibian that burrows underground has been named after Donald Trump". 19 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
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