Scientists Name Tarantula After John Lennon

Meet Bumba lennoni, which bears no resemblance to the Beatle
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 23, 2014 1:22 PM CDT
Scientists Name Tarantula After John Lennon
John Lennon has a new namesake.   (AP Photo)

Researchers inspired by what they described as John Lennon's mission to "make this world a gentler place" have named a not-so-gentle tarantula after him, reports NBC News. Bumba lennoni lives in the Brazilian Amazon and, sadly, bears no weird resemblance to Lennon. (Unlike a swamp-dwelling Mick Jagger namesake.) The scientists who found him just really like the Beatles. "I have been waiting for a while to dedicate a species to Lennon," explains an entomologist at Uruguay's University of the Republic. "I decided not to wait anymore."

At 1.3 inches wide, the spider isn't all that big as far as tarantulas go, but it is unique in at least two ways that might not thrill Lennon himself, explains National Geographic: "The tarantula is distinct from related tarantulas because of the male's smaller sexual organ and the large number of structures around the mouth called cuspules, tiny nodules that probably help the predators crush their prey." (Jim Morrison is in the animal club, too.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X