The Wolverine fish is a type of catfish with spikes that act as powerful weapons. Photo: AFP
FOR how beautiful and diverse nature is, the scientific names used to classify various living organisms
are often rather dry – after all, the nomenclature is meant to serve a practical purpose, which often leads to lots of obscure biological jargon.
However, scientists are not an entirely humourless bunch. Certain species have been bestowed names that pay homage to people, places, and occasionally pop culture.
One recently-discovered species of fish has been said to carry the name of a superhero known for his retractable adamantium claws and gruff nature.
Does a catfish that has been named after the X-Men’s Wolverine exist?
VERDICT:
TRUE
In 2021, the Shoal conservation organisation published its New Species report in which an unprecedented 212 new freshwater fish species were discovered.
One of these is the Wolverine pleco or Hopliancistrus wolverine, a catfish named after – you guessed
it – the superhero himself.
At first glance, this catfish does not have a particularly flashy or ferocious appearance. It is also not
the result of a genetic experiment gone awry, nor does it possess metal claws or a healing factor.
However, unlucky predators and scientists will very quickly come to realise why it has been bestowed such a name as the fish has “three stout curved spikes, or odontodes, concealed beneath the gill covers which act as a defence mechanism when it is harassed.”
Lucia H. Rapp Py-Daniel, one of the researchers on the 2021 description paper, said her team “all had our fingers injured or bleeding by the violence of (the fish) trying to pinch us with their big lateral hooks on the head.”
According to the Shoal report, this sort of aggression has not been observed even in other species of plecos that possess large spines.
Despite being cranky when disturbed and able to cause some serious damage, the Wolverine pleco is otherwise a peaceful, algae-grazing herbivore that prefers to inhabit rock crevices.
As far as scientists are aware, its spines are purely for self-defence.
Yet another nod to Logan who, for the most part, simply wants to be left alone.
Sources:
1. shoalconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NEW-SPECIES-2021-v.12-1.pdf
2. www.fishbase.se/summary/Hopliancistrus-wolverine
