This snail species is named in honor of marriage equality


A new snail species is named to reflect the "diversity of sexual orientation in the animal kingdom," scientists say. Aegista diversifamilia, a hermaphroditic snail, has both female and male reproductive organs.
Scientists from the Academia Sinica in Taipei and the National Taiwan Normal University are responsible for naming the new species, which is described in a study published Monday in the journal ZooKeys. Dr. Yen-Chang Lee, co-author of the study, told The Guardian that his team's research efforts "coincided with major struggles for same-sex marriage rights in Taiwan and worldwide." Taiwan recently tabled a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, and protesters gathered outside Taiwan's parliament last week to show support for marriage equality.
The newly discovered land snail is an eastern species that's endemic to Taiwan, and its name is now a part of Zoobank, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature's official species registry. --Meghan DeMaria
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
-
July 8 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Tuesday's political cartoons include a Trump disappearing act, trade talk uncertainty, and Elon Musk's many injuries
-
Entente cordiale: will state visit help UK-French relations get over Brexit?
Today's Big Question The King, a keen Francophile who has a warm relationship with Emmanuel Macron, will play a key role in state visit
-
Israel's plan for confining all Palestinians in 'humanitarian city'
The Explainer Defence minister wants to establish zone in Gaza for displaced people – which they would not be allowed to leave – prompting accusations of war crimes
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read