Scientists have named a species of mushroom after SpongeBob SquarePants. Spongiforma squarepantsii was found during an expedition to Borneo. The scientific journal Mycologia has the details.
Apparently, the mushroom bears a strong resemblance to a sea sponge, and under a scanning electron microscope, the spore-producing area of the fungus looks like a seafloor carpeted in tube sponges, say the researchers. This convinced them to name the species after the cartoon character.
Whatever will future generations make of such a bizarre name?
[For readers abroad, who may not have encountered this chap, SpongeBob is the star of an eponymous television cartoon series which began in 1999. He wears a short pair of square, brown trousers, and lives in the fictional locality of Bikini Bottom]
I always wonder about future generations, too. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteAngela, not much surprises me anymore!
ReplyDeleteJane x