New Crustacean Breed Named After Elton John
Whether it’s by skill, looks, or sheer charisma, big-name celebrities can do a pretty good job of getting their names out there in the world. Whether or not that’s a good thing is up for debate; those names can be attached to some less-than-ideal targets. Case in point: a new, shrimp-like crustacean has been discovered — and it owes its name to musician Sir Elton John.
The crustacean’s proper name is Leucothoe eltoni, and it can be found either in the coral reefs of Yenweres Bay in Indonesia, or the waters of Hawaii. Studies have shown that it can be found inside other invertebrates, as it’s prone to parasitic — yet ultimately harmless — relationships despite being no larger than a bean. The origin of its name comes from Dr. James Thomas; as a longtime fan of Elton John and a regular listener, the sight of the crustacean’s appendages under a microscope reminded him of the shoes John wore as the Pinball Wizard in the movie Tommy.
One can’t help but wonder how the musician himself would react to the news, knowing his attribution to what looks like a tiny shrimp. On the other hand, the fact that he served as an inspiration in the first place may be the biggest honor of all.
