Seed Media Group

Terra Sigillata

musings on medicines from the Earth

Search this blog

Profile

JJA%20UMich%2065px%20wide.jpg Abel Pharmboy is the nom de plume of an academic researcher and educator who holds a PhD in Pharmacology. He writes on natural product drugs and dietary supplements, academic career development, medical journalism and, occasionally, making and listening to music and wine appreciation for the monetarily-challenged.

You can learn quickly the distinction between the fields of Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy, the Pharmaceutical Sciences by clicking on the hyperlinks. You can learn more about the author here.

"Why Terra Sigillata?" will tell you about the origin of the blog name.

Please feel free to contact me off-blog by e-mail to abelpharmboy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Please read the DISCLAIMER for details on the blog's intended audience, advertising and comment policy, and how not to use the information presented herein.


We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

 Subscribe in a reader

Add to Google Reader or Homepage

Subscribe in NewsGator Online

Subscribe in Bloglines

http://www.wikio.com


OpenLab2006.png Openlab 2007

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Subscribe via Email

Stay abreast of your favorite bloggers' latest and greatest via e-mail, via a daily digest.

Sign me up!

Archives

Blogroll

« Love and condolences to Orac and Mrs Orac | Main | The Friday Fermentable: Real Old-Vine Wine? »

Arachnophilia!: ECU biologist gives nod to Stephen Colbert

Category: AcademiaBiologyHumorMusicResearchThe Old North State
Posted on: July 17, 2008 6:03 PM, by Abel Pharmboy

Arachnologist and diplopodologist Dr Jason E Bond at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, is most recently well-known for naming a spider (Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi) after Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Neil Young.

Kristin Day of The Daily Reflector is now reporting that Professor Bond has agreed to name a spider after Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central's host of "The Colbert Report."

When news emerged in May that Bond had named a species of trapdoor spider after Neil Young, the biologist could not escape Colbert's web:

"Where's my spider? I have lots of animals named after me: turtles, eagles, Ontario Junior League hockey mascots.

"The world demands an eight-legged tribute to Stephen Colbert and I do not mean another barbershop quartet."

Bond missed the episode when it first aired, but after hearing about it from a friend, watched it online and contacted the ECU News Bureau.

"I said I would name a spider after him if he would like," Bond said.

Colbert will have to choose a species and can reveal [when the live show comes back from vacation] its new Bond-given name: Aptastichus stephencolberti.

Heck, I don't even study spiders and millipedes but I really enjoyed cruising around the lab's website. Moreover, I really like Bond's mindset in using his discoveries to reel in public interest:

Bond said he's happy to name a spider after the late-night talk-show host because of the exposure it will bring to biodiversity, citing the importance of those who document the effects individual species have on the ecosystem. He said he's been inundated with e-mails from people who want to name species after loved ones; he might even auction off these names to raise money for ECU research.

Day reports that Bond has named other spiders after his wife (smart move there, chief) and Nelson Mandela.

Post a Comment

(Email is required for authentication purposes only. Comments are moderated for spam, your comment may not appear immediately. Thanks for waiting.)





Having problems commenting? (UPDATED)

Blogs in the Network

Advertisement

Top Five: Most Active

  1. Poll…but you'll have to see Ken Ham's homely face to do it 09.04.2008 · PZ Myers
  2. This is how we will lose 09.04.2008 · PZ Myers
  3. The Republican Convention 09.04.2008 · Jason Rosenhouse
  4. Rationality, Science, Rorty 09.04.2008 · Jonah Lehrer
  5. If you are watching the RNC Convention and.... 09.04.2008 · Coturnix

Search All Blogs