Eponymous: named after a person or place

Ausubel’s Mighty Claws Lobster
Dinochelus ausubeli Ahyong, Chan & Bouchet, 2010

This species of deep-water lobster was first collected off the island of Luzon in the Philippines. The lobster is unique for its remarkable claws. Scientists would use DNA and morphology data to determine that it is different enough to qualify for its own genus. “Dinochelus” is derived from “dinos” meaning terrible or fearful and “chela” meaning claw.

Its species name is in honour of Jesse Ausubel from the Sloan Foundation who initiated and led the landmark multi-year Census of Marine Life to survey global marine biodiversity. This species was named on the tenth year of the Census in Ausubel’s honour. It is not found outside of ASEAN. Within ASEAN, it is only known from the Philippines (off Luzon Island) thus far.

The Rote Myzomela is named after the first lady of Indonesia, Iriana Joko Widodo for her keen interest in Indonesia’s birdlife and for her advocacy of Indonesia’s natural environments. It is not found outside of ASEAN. Within ASEAN, it is only found in Indonesia (and is endemic to Rote Island).

Birma River Prawn
Macrobrachium birmanicum Schenkel, 1902

This species of freshwater prawn was first described in 1902 from the specimens collected near the cities of Bhamo and Mandalay in Myanmar. It was given its species from the name based on the old name for Myanmar. In scientific convention, once a species is validly given a name, this name (and its spelling) does not change except in exceptional circumstances as mandated by the ‘International Code of Zoological Nomenclature’. Even if the name of a country changes! This is important to ensure there is stability in names over time. Outside of ASEAN, this species is known from Bangladesh and the state of Orissa in India. Within ASEAN, it is only found in Myanmar.

Pen-tailed Tree Shrew
Ptilocercus lowii Gray, 1848

This species of treeshrew was described by famed British zoologist John Edward Gray over 160 years ago. He named this species after Hugh Low who was a British colonial administrator and naturalist in Borneo. Mount Kinabalu’s highest peak, Low’s Peak, is also named after him. In 2008, scientists reported that the nectar in the flowers of the Bertam Palm appeared to be fermenting and confirmed that alcohol concentrations could reach up to 3.8%. The same scientists then noted that this nectar was attracting many mammal pollinators. Additional research found that some Pen-tailed Tree Shrews were consuming the same amount of alcohol as a female human drinking nine glasses of wine in a 12 hour period. Most remarkable of all, the Pen-tailed Tree Shrews did not appear to suffer any adverse effects. How these animals stay sober defies scientific knowledge. It is not found outside of ASEAN. Within ASEAN, it is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Alycaeus jousseaumei de Morgan, 1885

This species of snail was first described from Perak in Peninsular Malaysia by French malacologist Jean-Jacques de Morgan. It is believed that he named it after fellow malacologist Félix Pierre Jousseaume.

It is the largest species of the genus and is restricted to the limestone karsts in the Kinta Valley of Perak. Scientists have only recently discovered that a series of microtunnels allow the snail to respire through the depression at the lower centre portion of the shell (known as the umbilicus) even when its operculum is tightly shut to keep out predators. Certainly an amazingly innovative design!

This species is not found outside of ASEAN. Within ASEAN, it is only found in Peninsular Malaysia (and endemic to Perak).

Kelian Freshwater Prawn
Macrobrachium kelianense Wowor & Short, 2007

Another freshwater prawn—and another named after its place of origin by Indonesian and Australian scientists. It was first found in the Kelian River in East Kalimantan, Indonesia in 1995. It has since been found in the Mahakam River basin in East Kalimantan. In 2005, mining activities along the Kelian River were halted which will hopefully ensure the long term survival of this species. It is not found outside of ASEAN. Within ASEAN, it is only found in Indonesia (Mahakam River basin).

Mouhot’s Elephant Snail
Pollicaria mouhoti (Pfeiffer, 1862)

When this species of elephant snail was first named after the French explorer, Henri Mouhout, the first specimens were said to originate from Cambodia. To date, this species has not been found in Cambodia and it is likely that the provenance of the original material was incorrect.

The shell of this species is black to purple in colour, with a yellow to bright orange tip (apex). It also has an orange to red opening (aperture). This species is only known from Thailand and Laos from the Luang Phrabang and Petchaboon Ranges. It appears to be restricted to limestone karst areas.