While some may think pop culture and scientific fields are polar opposites, the two interact more often than people may think. The two can help inform one another, with science helping make believable science fiction, and pop culture icons often used as a tool to teach science. Plus, the scientific naming of numerous organisms or phenomena has been inspired by all kinds of pop culture, from films to comics to video games.
Comics have especially been a big source of inspiration for different names of species and organisms. For example, in 2018, a new carnivorous dinosaur discovered by paleontologists Rafael Delcourt and Fabiano Vidoi Iori was given the scientific name Thanos simonattoi, inspired by the imposing Marvel Comics villain, Thanos. Or take the Otocinclus batmani catfish named after the Caped Crusader from DC Comics. However, there are also multiple animals named after prominent video games and video game characters.
Some Real-Life Pokemon
Of course, Pokemon is one of the easiest pop culture properties to named new animals after, as the creatures in the series have so many unique designs. While fans may name their pets after different Pokemon on a regular basis, it isn't too often that completely new species get named after Pokemon creatures.
Recently, newly discovered Australian beetles were named after the Legendary Bird Trio in Pokemon. The beetles belong to the genus Binburrum, and will be designated as three new species. PhD student Yun Hsiao made the discovery this year, and as a Pokemon fan, saw similarities between the beetles and Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos. Binburrum articuno is found in South Australia, and has a silvery sheen to its back; Binburrum moltres is found in Queensland, and has a bright golden upper body that becomes dark in the lower half; Binburrum zapdos is also found in Queensland, and has predominantly black wings and a golden prothorax.
In 2011, scientists discovered a new classification in the Stentorceps genus of wasps in Africa. Since the bug had a spine in its head, unlike any other species, the researchers named it Stentorceps weedlei. The Bug-type Pokemon Weedle shares the distinguishing characteristic of a spine in the middle of its head, and so inspired the naming of S. weedlei.
In 2016, Spencer K. Monckton discovered eight new bee species in Chile, and decided to name one after one of Pokemon's crown jewels, Charizard. The Chilicola charizard is a polyester bee that can typically be found in Chilean mountains, and like Charizard, has a broad snout, horn-like antennae, and broad hind legs. Plus, Monckton stated that C. charizard's yellowish markings turn orange after preservation, which helped with his naming of the species.
Pokemon has inspired different dinosaur names, too. Discovered in 2017 by Roger M.H. Smith, the prehistoric Bulbasaurus phylloxyron may not be explicitly named after Pokemon Red and Blue's beloved starter, Bulbasaur. Officially, "bulbasaurus" comes from the Latin "bulbus," referring to the fossil's large and bulbous nasal cavities. The species name "phylloxyron" comes from the Greek "phyllos" and "xyron," and literally translates to "leaf razor." Apparently, the real-life Bulbasaur would have had a razor-sharp palate to cut through any plants it wanted to eat. Regarding the similarities to a certain Grass-type Pokemon, Christian Kammerer, the other researcher responsible for naming B. phylloxyron, did note that "if one wished to read between the lines concerning certain similarities, I wouldn't stop them."
Another interesting dinosaur is a type of pterosaur, with a name inspired by the Rock and Flying-type fossil Pokemon, Aerodactyl. Originally discovered in the 1850s, this specific pterosaur specimen has been known by many names. In 2014, when Steven Vidovic and David Martill reviewed the specimen, they found it distinct enough to warrant its own genus. Thus, the Aerodactylus scolopaciceps was named. While the name means "wind finger," it was specifically chosen for the Pokemon Aerodactyl. However, other researchers have disputed whether the Aerodactylus genus should even exist in the first place, citing no real differences from other Pterodactylus species.
Outside of species names, the monster capturing franchise has even inspired scientists as they name things likes proteins or genes. For example, the retinal protein Pikachurin was named after Pokemon's mascot Pikachu, which has appeared on everything from face masks to keychains to game covers. There's almost no doubt that more new species of animals will eventually get named after Pokemon, as well as other scientific phenomena.
A Real-Life Galaga
While Pokemon may be the biggest pop culture source for new animal names, it doesn't mean nothing else has a chance. Even though arcades are going through a tough time now, that hasn't stopped classics like Galaga from staying in people's memory. In 2019, while scanning through the sediment found alongside the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered, Sue, a volunteer at Chicago's Field Museum discovered tiny shark teeth, and was immediately reminded of the triangular spaceships in the arcade title.
Paleontologist Terry Gates ended up naming the new shark species Galagadon nordquistae. The genus Galagadon was inspired by the shark's triangular teeth, and nordquistae was to honor the volunteer who initially made the discovery, Karen Nordquist. G. nordquistae was a tiny, flate-headed carpet shark that swam around in rivers around what is now South Dakota. As noted by the scientists, this shark probably swam in the very rivers that "Sue" the T. rex drank from.
Currently, video games just have a select number of animals named after them, but scientists will probably add to the list as time goes on. Comics and celebrities might still be the bigger source of inspiration, whether it's the Cirrhilabrus wakanda, a vibrant purple fish named after the fictional African country of Wakanda that is home to Black Panther, or something else. Either way, it's cool to see video games and pop culture interact with the scientific world.