Posted on 05/11/2017 9:12:19 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Scientists in Canada named a newly discovered dinosaur after a character from the original Ghostbusters film.
The 75 million-year-old ankylosaur was named Zuul crurivastator for its resemblance to the Ghostbusters character Zuul and it's powerful tail.
"This dinosaur's short snout, long horns behind the eyes and on the cheeks, and gnarly face resemble Zuul, a fictional monster from the 1984 film Ghostbusters," the Royal Ontario Museum said.
The museum celebrated the unique name by inviting Ghostbusters actor Dan Aykroyd to pose for photos with Zuul's head.
Its species name "crurivastator" means "destroyer of shins" and refers to its powerful sledgehammer-like tail.
"These powerful tail clubs were unique to ankylosaurine dinosaurs like Zuul, and could inflict serious damage on opponents, such as predatory theropods or maybe even other ankylosaurs competing for mates or territory," the museum said.
Museum staff said Zuul's skeleton, which was excavated from a quarry in Montana, is amazing well preserved.
"The preservation of the fossil is truly remarkable. Not only is the skeleton almost completely intact, but large parts of the bony armour in the skin are still in its natural position," David Evans of the Royal Ontario Museum told the Guardian.
Should have named it after Maxine Waters
Was this the scientist that found the first two gay dinosaurs — Megasoreass and Lickalotapus?
Pop cultural references in scientific names??
I heard that a species of rabbit was named after Hugh Hefner. Playboy but miss, rabbits, Hefner, get it???
I heard that some astronomers wanted to name an asteroid after Trayvon Martin. Not sure if that ever happened or if that effort flamed out.
Should read Playboy bunnies, rabbits, ties in with Hefner
That's what Zuul wants you to believe...
Zuul, when someone asks if you're a dinosaur, you say "yes"!
I resemble that remark.............
Top 10 Species Named After Famous People
1. Barack Obama – Aptostichus barackobamai (The Barack Obama trapdoor spider), endemic to California.
2. Hugh Heffner – Sylvilagus palustris hefneri (Lower Keys marsh rabbit), an endangered subspecies of marsh rabbit
3. Greta Garbo – Rostropria garbo, a diapriid wasp.
4. Johnny Depp – Kootenichela deppi, extinct anthropod.
5. Bob Marley – Gnathia marleyi parasite of the Crustacea family, found only in the Caribean sea.
6. Confucius – Potanthus confucius (Chinese dart or Confucian dart) butterfly native to southeastern Asia
7. Mark Knopfler – Masiakasaurus knopfleri, theropod dinosaur
8. Madonna – Echiniscus madonnae, water bear also known as moss piglets
9. Shakira – Aleiodes shakirae, a species of parasitic wasp
10. Theodore Roosevelt – Cervus canadensis roosevelti (Olympic elk)
Many geological features on planets are named after star Trek or other sci-fi references. You fast run out of other names any other way.
Same with animals. Honestly lots of animal names are pretty lackluster.
Hopefully the little guy didn’t kick the bucket by crossing a stream.
How childish and stupid of them.
For me, it just shows how bankrupt the “scientific” community is today. Most of their theories and pontifications are cartoonish today anyway.
Yeah, it got shot down...
Actually a very high percentage of stuff has in jokes in their names. Scientists have been dorks with weird senses of humor for a long long time.
Blue whale: Balaenoptera musculus.
(musculus = Latin for "tiny mouse").
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.