Dr Richard Harrington's Discovery
Who would have thought that an insect, previously unknown to science could be discovered on eBay, an online auction site?
A scientist, Dr Richard Harrington purchased an amber (fossilized tree sap) piece with an ancient insect trapped in it. He paid just £20 or $40 for this tiny pill-sized specimen which was pretty cool anyway since it is millions of years old. The specimen came from Lithuania - the Baltic nations have long been a source of amber.
Fossil aphid expert, Professor Ole Heie in Denmark later identified it as a long extinct aphid species that had never been seen before.
Dr Harrington has a sense of humour. He said, “"I had thought it would be rather nice to call it Mindarus ebayi. Unfortunately using flippant names to describe new species is rather frowned upon these days.” So Professor Heie named it after the discoverer - Mindarus harringtoni.
A scientist, Dr Richard Harrington purchased an amber (fossilized tree sap) piece with an ancient insect trapped in it. He paid just £20 or $40 for this tiny pill-sized specimen which was pretty cool anyway since it is millions of years old. The specimen came from Lithuania - the Baltic nations have long been a source of amber.
Fossil aphid expert, Professor Ole Heie in Denmark later identified it as a long extinct aphid species that had never been seen before.
Dr Harrington has a sense of humour. He said, “"I had thought it would be rather nice to call it Mindarus ebayi. Unfortunately using flippant names to describe new species is rather frowned upon these days.” So Professor Heie named it after the discoverer - Mindarus harringtoni.
Trend Themes
1. Online Auction Discovery - The trend of discovering new, previously unknown items through online auction platforms like eBay presents opportunities for collectors and scientists to find rare specimens.
2. Amber Fossil Market - The trend of buying and selling amber fossils online creates a niche industry for enthusiasts and collectors to acquire ancient artifacts.
3. Naming New Species - The trend of creating unique and meaningful names for newly discovered species offers opportunities for scientists to honor individuals or concepts while contributing to the field of taxonomy.
Industry Implications
1. Online Auctions - The online auction industry can leverage the trend of unique discoveries like the unknown insect on eBay to attract collectors and expand their user base.
2. Paleontology and Fossil Collecting - The specialization in amber fossils and extinct species opens up opportunities for paleontologists, fossil collectors, and educational institutions to study, display, and trade rare specimens.
3. Taxonomy and Biological Naming - The field of taxonomy and biological naming benefits from the trend of naming new species after discoverers or significant individuals, providing recognition and contributing to scientific knowledge.
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