Thanks to a biologist who’s a metal fan, Def Leppard, Scorpions and Iron Maiden all have newly discovered spiders named after band members. Brazilian researcher Cristina Rheims, who’s in charge of species naming, chose rickalleni, klausmeinei and brucedickinsoni as the names for three new spiders of the genus Extraordinarius… after Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen, Scorpions singer Klaus Meine, and Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson.
Rick Allen responded on Twitter to say he was honored.
"Extraordinarius rickalleni"!?
I am honored! Thank you, Christina Rehims! You rock!https://t.co/Szt81IzxME
— Rick Allen (@rickallenlive) October 18, 2019
Rheims chose the names because it’s “the kind of music I like and I usually listen to.” She was inspired by Brazilian heavy metal singer Andre Matos, who died suddenly at the age of 47 last June. Rheims named one of four new spider species after him, and chose to name the others for more musicians who inspired her.
“I’ve always wanted to honor Rick Allen because I think he’s an example,” Rheims said. “You have a drummer that loses an arm, and he continues his career and he learns how to play with only one arm. So he’s one of the Extraordinarius as well.”
The new spider species are 1 to 2 centimeters in length, nocturnal and not dangerous to humans.
