A new cockroach species have been discovered in Singapore, and it has been given an interesting name. Meet the Pheromosa cockroach, named after the "Pokémon Sun & Moon Ultra" Beast Pheromosa.
According to the Straits Times, this new species was discovered in 2016 but remained unnamed and unstudied until recently when entomologists Foo Maosheng and Cristian Lucanas set out to research and document the bug's existence.
New Bug Found
Pokemon Emerald, Sapphire, and other editions of the renowned Pokemon game include NPCs who call themselves bug catchers. For some gamers, these NPCs could be quite the headache as they challenge the trainer for ambush battles early in the game.
Meanwhile, bug experts Foo and Lucanas are huge Pokemon fans. The entomologists discovered some similarities between Pheromosa and a delicate cockroach they had previously discovered.
According to Foo, the Pheromosa cockroach has long antennas, hooded wings, and long legs, similar to the Ultra Beast from the popular video game series.
Cristian C. Lucanas, the study's lead author, is an entomologist at the UPLB Museum of Natural History in the Philippines.
Foo Maosheng is a scientific officer at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Pokemon and Scientific Discoveries
A report from NintendoLife tells us that the discovery of this new species is significant because the Pheromosa cockroach has now been added to the list of real-world creatures named after Pokémon.
According to the same report, three beetles discovered in Australia in 2021 were named after the legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres due to their vibrant colors. Similarly, a wasp found in Botswana and Madagascar in 2011 was named after Weedle.
Who could possibly forget the series' mascot, Pikachu? Japanese researchers discovered a retinal protein they named Pikachurin in 2008. NintendoWorldReport informs us that the name of this "nimble" protein found in the eye was derived from Pikachu's "lightning-fast moves and shocking electric effects."
The Pheromosa Pokemon, Cockroach
Reports tell us that despite Foo and Lucanas' research, the origins of the Nocticola pheromosa are yet to be discovered. However, the scientific community now recognizes it due to their discovery and documentation of the new species.
Pheromosa, also known as the "Lissome Pokemon," first appeared in the Pokémon games as an Ultra Beast in Generation 7. It is a tall, thin cockroach-like creature with the Ultra Beast code B-02 Beauty and a Bug/Fighting type.
Pokedex entries suggest that Pheromosa is an alien Pokemon that is particular about cleanliness but extremely strong and fast.
Its distinct appearance and abilities make it a fan favorite among Pokémon players, and its namesake lives on in the actual world as a new cockroach species.
Events like this suggest that popular culture can impact scientific discoveries and naming conventions. Naming a new species after a beloved video game character or creature is a new and fascinating way to acknowledge scientific discoveries' significance while paying homage to popular culture.
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