Beetle Named After Theodore Roosevelt
Posted on March 22, 2011
A new species of a rugged darkling beetle has been named after Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt has had a number of species and subspecies named in his honor, including an elk, shrew, mollusk, worm and ant.
The new species of beetle, Stenomorpha roosevelti, is covered in thick dark hair with golden setal pads on tarsal segments of legs. The beetle, which thrives in an arid region of the Chihuahuan Desert, was discovered in the protected area of Cuatro Cienegas, a biodiversity-rich oasis in Coahuila, Mexico.
Stenomorpha roosevelti was discovered and named by Aaron Smith, an authority on darkling beetles and a postdoctoral research associate at ASU; Kelly Miller, an assistant professor and curator of arthropods for the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico; and Quentin Wheeler, a professor and founding director of the International Institute for Species Exploration at ASU.
Quentin Wheeler said, "Naming a new species for President Roosevelt honors his achievements as a pioneering conservationist, naturalist and explorer, and helps us bring attention to biodiversity and the field of taxonomy. The ruggedness of this darkling beetle reflects many of the hardy and resilient characteristics of President Roosevelt."
- Fossil of Giant Freshwater Turtle Discovered
- Hubble Observes Stormy Weather on Jupiter
- Australian Spider Named After Marvel's Venom
- NASA's JWST Captures New Views of NGC 604
- Ancient Giant Sea Lizard Had Dagger-Like Teeth