A new species is named 'Ranma'

The discovery of a new species is a constant reminder of our planet's evolving biodiversity and the ability of species to adapt to their environment. A fascinating aspect of these finds is the way names are chosen for new species. Often, those who discover the creature are in charge of giving it a name, which usually reflects some distinctive characteristic of the species.

Sometimes, the best way to represent a new species is to borrow the name of a fictional character. So what do researchers do when they discover a new species of crustacean that possesses both male and female characteristics? It is named after the popular character Ranma Saotome from the series 'Ranma 1/2', created by Rumiko Takahashi.

At the end of July, the official Twitter account of the Faculty of Science of Hokkaido University announced the discovery of a new species of tanaidacean, a small crustacean similar to a shrimp, between 2 and 5 millimeters in length. The new species, dubbed Apseudes ranma, was discovered at the Nagoya Port Public Aquarium by master's student Yoshinobu Matsushima and Dr. Keiichi Kakui. The researchers chose the name Apseudus ranma because this species possesses both male and female characteristics, which reminded them of the character Ranma from the famous series.

Although the name is appropriate, it is important to note that Ranma Saotome is not technically hermaphrodite, but instead exhibits male or female phenotypes depending on the temperature of the water with which it is soaked: it turns into a girl when sprayed with cold water and returns to being a boy with hot water.

This is not the first case in which a character created by Rumiko Takahashi is used to name a new species. In 2014, a species of Opilion spider was named Taito kakera after the fragments of the Jewel of the Four Souls of 'Inuyasha'. More recently, in 2020, a butterfly was named Cigaritis syama lamuae in homage to Lum, the heroine of 'Urusei Yatsura'.

Source: Twitter