Scientists named a parasite after Barack Obama

Scientists all the time are revealing the new kinds of species, often biologists give to the newcomers the names of famous people. This time, scientists named a parasite after Barack Obama, says the publication in the Journal of Parasitology.

Scientists called a new bacteria Baracktrema obamai, it’s a deadly turtle pathogen parasitic worm. It’s not a joke, moreover, it’s a great honor, says Thomas Platt, a turtle disease expert. Even a compliment, since now the name of Obama is in in the science’s annals. These worms “face incredible obstacles to complete their [life cycles] and must contend with the immune system of the host in order to mature and reproduce,” Platt said in a publication.

The new genus and species of parasitic flatworm was introduced this week in an article in the Journal of Parasitology. The tiny creatures, which are the thickness of a human hair, invade the lungs of freshwater turtles in Malaysia, often with deadly consequences. Platt added:

“I have named a number of species after people I admire, from my father-in-law, my PhD adviser, and good friends who are academics and/or amateur naturalists”.