New sonic blast shrimp named after Pink Floyd

This photograph received from the Federal University of Goias on April 12, 2017, shows the newly-discovered bright pink-clawed pistol shrimp which has been named as ‘Synalpheus pinkfloydi’ in the scientific description of the species. A shrimp with a large pink claw capable of making a deafening sound was dubbed Pink Floyd, in recognition of the discoverer’s favorite rock band, the Museum of Natural History of Oxford University said April 12, 2017. (AFP)

LONDON: A newly-discovered shrimp species with a bright pink claw and the ability to produce one of the loudest sounds in the ocean has been named after legendary British band Pink Floyd, zoologists said on Wednesday.
“Synalpheus pinkfloydi” has a bright pink claw that, “just like all good rock bands,” can produce large amounts of sonic energy, according to a post on the blog of the University of Oxford’s Museum of Natural History.
Zoologist Sammy de Grave, a lifelong Pink Floyd fan who works at the museum, said the shrimp’s discovery off the coast of Panama was “the perfect opportunity to finally give a nod to my favorite band.”
By closing its distinctive claw at rapid speed, the shrimp can produce a sound strong enough to stun or even kill a small fish.
A description of the shrimp appeared in the journal Zootaxa on Wednesday and the Oxford team featured the shrimp in fictitious covers for the legendary British rock band’s albums “Animals” and “The Wall.”
“I often play Pink Floyd as background music while I’m working,” de Grave said.
“But now the band and my work have been happily combined in the scientific literature.”