Ever wondered how adventurous a woman has to be to have a species named after her? Spoiler: Very. Let’s dive into the wild world of flora and fauna that proudly bear the names of trailblazing female explorers who ventured where few dared to go.
Introduction
Throughout history, intrepid female explorers have ventured into uncharted territories, their discoveries leaving indelible marks on science and natural history.
In honor of their contributions, several species have been named after these remarkable women, ensuring their legacies live on in the natural world.
From the depths of the ocean to the peaks of mountains, these species serve as living testaments to the adventurous spirits of their namesakes.
| Species Name | Named After | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Anningasaura | Mary Anning | A genus of plesiosaur named to honor the renowned English fossil collector and paleontologist. museumoftheearth.org |
| Boophis idae | Ida Laura Pfeiffer | A species of frog native to Madagascar, named after the Austrian explorer and travel writer. en.wikipedia.org |
| Aidanosagitta alvarinoae | María de los Ángeles Alvariño González | A species of arrow worm named in honor of the Spanish oceanographer and marine biologist. en.wikipedia.org |
| Lizzia alvarinoae | María de los Ángeles Alvariño González | A species of hydromedusa also named after the esteemed Spanish scientist. en.wikipedia.org |
| Baccharis plummerae | Sara Plummer Lemmon | A shrub named in recognition of the American botanist’s contributions to plant sciences. en.wikipedia.org |
| Costomedes cheesmanae | Evelyn Cheesman | A true bug species named to honor the English entomologist and explorer. en.wikipedia.org |
| Platymantis cheesmanae | Evelyn Cheesman | A frog species from New Guinea named after Cheesman for her extensive fieldwork. en.wikipedia.org |
| Barygenys cheesmanae | Evelyn Cheesman | Another frog species from New Guinea named in her honor. en.wikipedia.org |
| Cophixalus cheesmanae | Evelyn Cheesman | A New Guinea frog species bearing her name. en.wikipedia.org |
| Lipinia cheesmanae | Evelyn Cheesman | Known as Cheesman’s lipinia or Cheesman’s moth skink, this species was named to recognize her contributions. en.wikipedia.org |
| Dendrobium azureum | Evelyn Cheesman | A rare blue-flowered orchid discovered by Cheesman in New Guinea. en.wikipedia.org |
| Solanum cheesmaniae | Evelyn Cheesman | A species of wild tomato native to the Galapagos Islands, named in her honor. en.wikipedia.org |
| Pamphobeteus nellieblyae | Nellie Bly | A tarantula species named after the trailblazing journalist and adventurer. en.wikipedia.org |
| Pamphobeteus matildeae | Matilde Hidalgo Navarro | A tarantula named in honor of the Ecuadorian physician and women’s rights activist. en.wikipedia.org |
| Brycinus kingsleyae | Mary Kingsley | A fish species named after the English explorer and writer. loveexploring.com |
| Brienomyrus kingsleyae | Mary Kingsley | Another fish species named in her honor. loveexploring.com |
| Ctenopoma kingsleyae | Mary Kingsley | A fish species bearing her name, recognizing her contributions to African exploration. loveexploring.com |
| Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) | Anna D’Essling | Named after the Duchess of Rivoli, this hummingbird species honors her. audubon.org |
Conclusion
These species stand as living testaments to the indomitable spirit of female explorers and adventurers. Their names etched into the annals of natural history, these women not only expanded our understanding of the world but also paved the way for future generations of women in science and exploration.
So, the next time you come across a peculiar plant or an exotic animal, take a moment to ponder the stories behind their names—they might just lead you to tales of extraordinary women who dared to explore the unknown!