Names for two new species of spiders discovered in Australia
This is what happens when you don’t teach your budding entomologists enough Latin, Greek, and classic literature.
You can’t say the names are inaccurate. Here’s an article with a photo of Skeletorus -
Sez you! That spider looks NOTHING like Skeletor!
Or, for that matter, a combination of a Skeleton and a Torus
They are nicknames for Maratus sceletus and Maratus jactatus.
Do you have an issue with them being collectively known as “peacock spiders”?
Sparklemuffin??? Do you think I would have allowed myself to be bit by an fuckig’ ‘sparklemuffin’? I wouldn’t catch bad guys but I’d still climb buildings - only to make your breakfast colorful & sparkleriffic!!! Where’s the ‘shakes head in disgust’ smiley?
Why is it I hear both those names in Cree Summer’s psychotic little girl voice? Check out Pegasus Abuse on Robot Chicken’s website to see what I mean…
Actually, Skeletorus and Sparklemuffin are Mary Matalin and James Carville’s pet names for each other.
Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap!
Some day I hope to discover a new something - species, star, plant, whatever - and name it “Bob”. OK, as goals go it isn’t much but I like it.
I was gonna say, this is what happens when new spiders get discovered on Take Your Daughter To Work Day.
I thought arachnologists would be the ones to name spiders.
BTW, peacock spiders are awesome.
Discovered in Australia. Because of course they are.
When I hear “peacock” spider, I want to name it Maratus brotasticus. It negs its prey until they just give up.
As I was shoveling the snow out of the driveway this morning, it occurred to me that I could easily see Skeletorus and Sparklemuffin on the Disney Kids cable lineup.
Computer-animated boy spider Skeletorus and girl spider Sparklemuffin have many adventures together in which they learn socially responsible lessons.
(Including one about not gender stereotyping based upon how cool skeletons are, or how pretty sparklies are.)