We've named weevils for Patrick O'Brian, Stephen Maturin and Peter Weir
The Nature Discovery Fund of the Canadian Museum of Nature
A scientific name is the official name by which an organism is known, each one is unique. Over the last 250 years, biologists have named almost 2 million different species. However, scientists estimate that there may be as many as 30 million more species existing on earth. Adam Quinan reported: "Following the Gunroom's donations to the Nature Discovery Fund, we received the certificate announcing the planned naming. There will be a period of up to 48 months during which time one of the scientists will prepare and publish a scientific paper formally identifying and naming a recently discovered weevil in memory of Patrick O'Brian. Once the paper has been published, we will receive an official certificate of the newly classified organism and a general description of it. We will also receive a copy of the scientific paper."
(Click on an image to see a larger version.)
Daisya obriani (14 April 2003)
As can be seen it is definitely a Lesser Weevil. This is a weevil found in Costa Rica and Panama; it is associated with palms.
Derivation of species name:
This species is named after Patrick O'Brian (1914-2000), an author of a series of historical novels set in the early 19th century British Royal Navy.
The dedication was arranged through a donation to Nature Discovery Fund of the Canadian Museum of Nature by The Gunroom of HMSSurprise.org, an internet group devoted to the publications of Mr. O'Brian.
Many of his books tell of long sea voyages and there are often references to the weevils found in the ship's biscuit.
Theognete maturini (16 October 2011)
Again it is certainly a Lesser Weevil. This is a weevil found in the cloud forest of Honduras.
The dedication was arranged through a donation to Nature Discovery Fund of the Canadian Museum of Nature by The Gunroom of HMSSurprise.org.
Theognete weiri (16 October 2011)
Once more, a Lesser Weevil. This is a weevil found in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
The dedication was arranged through a donation to Nature Discovery Fund of the Canadian Museum of Nature by The Gunroom of HMSSurprise.org, in appreciation for his film "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World."
