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.
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.
-
The Retrievals, series two: 'essential listening'The Week Recommends The second instalment of this hard-hitting podcast delves into the 'appallingly common injustice' of women having C-sections without pain relief
-
Cool off at the best saltwater pools in the UKThe Week Recommends From 1930s Art Deco lidos to 'magical' tidal pools, these sheltered spots offer a safer alternative to sea swimming
-
Kinmen Islands: Taiwan's frontline with ChinaIn Depth Just a few miles off the mainland, the Kinmen Islands could be attacked first if China invades Taiwan
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
