Five new fly species discovered in Australia have been given names inspired by the Marvel Universe, including two named after the antihero Deadpool and Marvel creator Stan Lee, respectively. The flies are among the 165 new Australian species discovered in the last year, which in addition to 151 insects, also include eight plants, two fish, one mite, and three new subspecies of bird.
The scientists of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) recently proved themselves to be true believers, naming five new flies in honor of Lee and some of Marvel's greatest characters, including Thor, Black Widow, Loki, and Deadpool. Each of the flies' Latin names are Marvel-inspired. For instance, Deadpool's fly, Humorolethalis Sergius, derives its name for the Latin terms for "wet" or "moist" and "dead," and the marks on its back are similar to those on his mask. Lee's fly, Daptolestes leei, shares his trademark white mustache and sunglasses.
In addition to their evident love of Marvel and the man who started it all, the scientists at CSIRO also hold great concern for Australia's natural environment. Only about a quarter of the insects native to Australia are known at this point, and the more that are discovered, the more scientists will understand the role they play in the ecosystem--and know how to save their lives.
Moreover, some animals have the potential to save human lives more directly. For example, a new species of spider wasp, whose venom could be used to treat neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, was found impacted by a brush fire and has been carefully monitored ever since. As the spider wasp demonstrates, every species has its own superpower, and if we can save them, they just might end up saving us.
Source: CSIRO