New spongebob fungi

Farplace · #1 (**permalink**) 22-06-2011, 08:16 PM

This from the BBC: BBC News - SpongeBob lends name to new mushroom species

Littlesparrow · #2 (**permalink**) 22-06-2011, 09:34 PM

Good one, that got all my family laughing.

fairplay · #3 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 06:06 AM

Call me a stuck up old fart, but I think giving it some frivolous name makes a mockery of the whole Linnaean system which all science accepts.

It may be relevant to US citizens, but not to the rest of the world who do not watch American rubbish.

Neil.

solus · #4 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 08:12 PM

Daft idea.

Try explaining that one in 100 years' time! "But what does it mean...??"

Another stuck up old fart!

JdeV · #5 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 09:17 PM

It is a bit naughty but numerous species are named for a proper noun. Spongebobius would have been overkill.

fairplay · #6 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 11:02 PM

I've no problem with the genus, it's the species name of 'smartpantsii' which is just so childish.
I may be wrong, but as far as I am aware the species name should be descriptive for that individual species.
In the past other scientists may choose the name of a fellow scientist such as Geastrum berkeleyi after that great British mycologist, Miles Joseph Berkeley or Boletus satanus after that err..um red colour or is it the toxins, but this practice is no longer popular.

Agrocybe rivulosa is so called because it fits with other Agrocybe and 'rivulosa' because of the wavy or 'rivulose' (winding river) cap margin.

So, looking at that photo again, does it look like a pair of smart pants ?

Perhaps the Yanks ain't so smart.

Neil.

EDIT: Ahhhhhh, I'm not so smart either - it was 'squarepantsii' not 'smartpantsii' !!

2dogs2000 · #7 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 11:17 PM

I don't think it is very scientific to name this after a cartoon character.

JdeV · #8 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 11:50 PM

I like that it will have an odd name and a stupid explanation. Personally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by solus

Daft idea.

Try explaining that one in 100 years' time! "But what does it mean...??"

It won't be a common question but if somehow I am here and anyone does ask I shall tell first of the Marketing Era and then of the tenuous significance of the mushroom's "fruity or musty smell".