[Taxacom] a new political spider

[Donat Agosti]

Sitting here at the PreCop9 (http://zfmk.de/preCOP9/index.html), listening
to a debate of whether the taxonomic impediment should be dropped or
renamed, that biodiversity specialists ought be more political, this
article which came up which definitely makes a political point...

Donat
..............

New Spider Species Named After Neil Young
By Scott Thill EmailMay 12, 2008 | 4:34:15 PMCategories: Music News, People
http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/05/new-arachnid-sp.html

>From Buffalo Springfield to CSNY to a storied solo career, Neil Young has
more than made his name in the rock game. Now, thanks to East Carolina
University biologist Jason Bond, he's also making a name for himself in
science.

Literally.

Bond discovered a new species of trapdoor spider last year in Alabama and
set about publishing a paper about it with Norman I. Platnick, curator at
the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. When it came time
to name his discovery, Bond reached not into the annals of science but 
those of music, dubbing it Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi (teach your children
how to pronounce that). While it was Young's diverse sonic offerings that
initially attracted Bond to the idea, it was the Canadian legend's track
record on sociopolitics that clinched the deal.

"I really enjoy his music," Bond explained in a press release, "and have
had a great appreciation of him as an activist for peace and justice."

In honor of Bond's discovery, take a listen to Young's epic tale of
colonization "Cortez the Killer" below. I would have posted his more
topically polemical tune "Let's Impeach the President," but I just like my
job too much.


-- 
Dr. Donat Agosti
Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian
Institution

Email: agosti at amnh.org
Web: http://antbase.org
CV: http://research.amnh.org/entomology/social_insects/agosticv_2003.html

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