(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Eight new species were recently identified after a study that analysed over 220 animals from the genus Hemidactylus (house geckos) of Oman. One of them has been named after Ali al Kiyumi, former director general of nature conservation, and currently advisor at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs.
Scientifically named Hemidactylus alkiyumii, the species is a medium to large-sized gecko that can be found exclusively in the vegetated areas of Dhofar. Salvador Carranza, lead researcher and head of the Spanish team that carried out the research in Oman over the last several years, said that Kiyumi has contributed greatly to the conservation of Oman's biodiversity, and naming a species after him was a nice way of highlighting that.
''Describing a new species for science is a major achievement for a biologist and an important contribution to our knowledge of the natural world,'' said Carranza. ''The species was named after Kiyumi for his knowledge and interest in preservation of the biodiversity and for his help and support towards our ongoing studies on the reptile fauna of Oman.''
According to Carranza, ''Naming a new species after an important person is a common practice in science but at the same time it is an honour reserved only to a few who have substantially contributed to the hard process of the discovery of new species.''
She said describing eight new reptile species from Oman is very important news for the country, whose biodiversity is unique in Arabia and is attracting international interest. ''This is the result of the work published recently by me and Nicholas Arnold in the international journal Zootaxa.''
Meanwhile, Kiyumi said it was his duty to promote and conserve the wildlife of Oman. ''We need to publicise the value of the extraordinary diversity of the country and educate Omanis and make them feel about our unique biodiversity and its benefits. How will we protect it if we don't know about it?''
He added that because of Oman's geology, areas have remained isolated, sans human interference, providing unbridled growth and evolution of so diverse a species.
''We have to care about our species more than the scientific community and we have to be proud about it. We have decided to have a comprehensive data and action plan on the biodiversity of the country, and the Spanish team would be part of the group helping to accomplish that.''
HOW SPECIES GET THEIR NAMES
It is estimated that 17,000 to 24,000 animal species are identified every year throughout the world, and each one needs a new name. Naming them after celebrities is one way to garner quick attention, while it is generally accepted that scientists who identify the new species have the right to choose a name.
Some species named after famous people:
Bob Marley parasite: A small crustacean parasite which feeds on fish in the Caribbean was named Gnathia marleyi, after reggae legend Bob Marley.
Beyonce horse fly: The Scaptia beyonceae, a rare species of horse fly found in Queensland, Australia, is named after the American singer Beyonce.
John Cleese lemur: Actor and comedian John Cleese had a woolly lemur, Madagascan Avahi cleesei, which is endangered, named after him in 2005.
George Bush beetle: Former US president George Bush, vice-president Dick Cheney and defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld all had beetles named after them in 2005.
Kate Winslet beetle: A beetle, Agra katewinsletae was named after actress Kate Winslet
Adolf Hitler beetle: Anophthalmus hitleri is a species of blind cave beetle found only in five humid caves in Slovenia.
Hugh Hefner rabbit: Scientists named the marsh rabbit Sylvilagus palustris hefneri, found in southeastern US, after the founder of the Playboy empire, which has a bunny as it
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