How To Name An Octopus

How To Name An Octopus
A research facility in Monterey, California is observing a small, coral-coloured octopus species that currently only has half of a name. A new species gets a formal two-part Latin name using a system called binomial nomenclature. The first part of the name is capitalized and refers to the genus of the species. The second part is written in lowercase and distinguishes the specific species from other similar ones. This particular octopus belongs to the genus Opisthoteuthis. The scientist in charge of giving it a second name has described it as gelatinous and fragile. She is currently waiting for its eggs to hatch so that she can observe its young. Deep sea animals like this one can have an incubation period of two to three years. Will the scientist have a name for these cute octopuses when the larvae finally hatch? Her first choice right now is Opisthoteuthis adorablis.

1. The first part of this octopus’s name is already known because scientists know which genus it belongs to.
2. The unnamed octopus is described as small, coral-coloured, gelatinous, fragile, and cute.
3. The scientist wants to name this species Opisthoteuthis adorablis.