Finding a new animal is always exciting for scientists. At that time, they made their name history not only as the person who discovered an unknown animal, but also as the person who named it. And the story of finding new names is another interesting story.
Some scientists choose names for these new species based on where they are found, even using their own names for them. Recently, research duo Luiz Rocha and Yi-Kai Tea found a bright purple fish off the east coast of Africa near Zanzibar. And they decided to name it based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This fish has never been known before. Its bright purple body and African origins were reminiscent of a fictional material – Vibranium, hence its name: the prehistoric fish Vibranium. In Marvel novels, vibranium is found in Wakanda and it is the material that makes up Captain America’s Black Panther armor and shield. And they continued to give it the same scientific name: Cirrhilabrus wakanda.
As Earth explained, this fish looked a lot like prehistoric lizards, except that they were smaller, ate floating plankton, and hid in coral reefs. They reside at depths of 48 to 80 meters, a depth difficult for ordinary divers. The two researchers were specially trained and equipped with modern diving equipment to be able to observe this fish in its natural environment.
Speaking of the name, the researchers emphasized that they want to make science more accessible (and interesting) to those who love it.
