New Lobster Species Named After Nelson Mandela
Posted on January 14, 2014
A new species of squat lobster has been named after Nelson Mandela. The lobster was discovered in 2011 by Diva Amon, a PhD student based at the Natural History Museum, London. The lobster, Munidopsis mandelai, was discovered in deep water off South Africa. The lobster is said to be a relation of hermit crabs. The small lobster has a carapace that is just 7mm long.
Dr. Amon and Museum invertebrates researcher Dr. Paul Clark consulted Dr. Enrique Macpherson of the Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes in Spain for help identifying the lobster. Dr. Macpherson confirmed it to be a new species, and all three agreed on the name of Munidopsis mandelai.
Dr. Clark said in the announcement, "We thought it would be a fitting tribute to name this find in honour of Mr. Mandela, a remarkable man."