Name a New Species

Support marine biodiversity research by choosing the name of a newly discovered species

 

Every year, Scripps Benthic Invertebrate Collection Curator Greg Rouse and collaborators discover new species of marine life, especially during exploratory expeditions to mysterious and fascinating deep-sea habitats.

Traditionally, the person who first describes a newfound animal is entitled to name it, but now, Scripps is inviting the public to share in this process of discovery, by choosing the name of a newly discovered species. For example, you may wish to name a species after your own first and/or last name, as a unique gift for a friend or family member, to honor the memory of a loved one, or simply to express your creativity.  

The cost to name a newly discovered Scripps species starts at $6,000. Donors who name a species will receive:

  • a framed print of their named organism
  • a personal tour of the Scripps Benthic Invertebrate Collection, and
  • a copy of the scientific publication in which the newly named species is first described.

Your donation supports the research and preservation required to establish your species in the scientific record permanently. The gift funds are used toward research supplies for DNA sequencing and microscopy, publication fees, shipping costs to exchange specimens with collaborators, and maintenance of the Benthic Invertebrate Collection. Gifts are directed to the Scripps Oceanographic Collections Fund and distributed 80% to laboratory research and 20% to the Benthic Invertebrate Collection. The complete process from research to peer-reviewed publication typically takes about three years, sometimes longer depending on the analyses and collaborations involved, but your framed print and tour opportunity will be available right away.

 

For more information about how you can support the Scripps Oceanographic Collections by naming a species, or to join us for a tour, please contact us at (858) 822-1865 or supportscripps@ucsd.edu.

Updated January 21, 2025

 

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE SPECIES FOR NAMING

 

$6,000

Anguillosyllis new species

Anguillosyllis new species from off California
This new species of annelid worm was found in deep sea sediments near methane seeps off the Pacific coast of central America. Anguillosyllis have an interesting evolutionary placement within Syllidae and we will doing some sequencing of its genome as well as naming it.

$6,000

Dysponetus new species from off California

Dysponetus new species from off California
This new species of annelid worm was found in deep sea sediments at a seamount off California called Patton Ridge. It is a member of Chrysopetalidae with golden spines covering the back of the body.

$6,000

GYPTIS new species from SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

This new species of annelid worm was discovered in deep waters off Santa Catalina Island near Los Angeles, during research expeditions in 2023-2024 to understand the current impacts of historic dumping of DDT and industrial wastes off southern California. It is a member of Hesionidae, a diverse group with examples known from hydrothermal vents, methane seeps, whale falls, and other ecosystems.

$6,000

Pisionidens new species from Baja CALIFORNIA, Mexico

Pisionidens
This new annelid worm species is from the beach sands of the Gulf of California. It lives right in the surf zone and was first collected from San Francisquito.

$6,000

Protodorvillea new species from off Australia

Protodorvillea new species from off Australia
This new species was found in shallow sediments near Lord Howe Island, off the east coast of the Australian mainland. Protodorvillea is part of a very diverse group, Dorvilleidae, found from shallow to deep sea, but this will only be the 10th species of Protodorvillea to be named.

$6,000

THEMIS new species from Monterey Submarine canyon (1800 m depth)

Themis new species from 1800 m
This new species of Themis scaleworm (Polynoidae, a group of annelid worms) was collected at 1800 m depth in Monterey Submarine Canyon at a whale fall, where the remains of a deceased whale support a diverse community of deep-sea animals. The upper surface of the worm is covered by flexible opalescent scales (top image) and the segmentation and bristles are visible on the animal's underside (bottom image).

$6,000

THEMIS new species from Monterey Submarine canyon (2900 m depth)

Themis new species from 2900 m
This new species of Themis scaleworm (Polynoidae, a group of annelid worms) was collected at 2900 m depth in Monterey Submarine Canyon at a whale fall, where the remains of a deceased whale support a diverse community of deep-sea animals. The upper surface of the worm is covered by flexible opalescent scales (top image) and the segmentation and bristles are visible on the animal's underside (bottom image).

$6,000

THEMIS new species from ALASKA TO CHILE

Themis new species from Alaska to Chile
This new species of Themis scaleworm (Polynoidae, a group of annelid worms) was collected on deep-sea research expeditions off Alaska and Chile in 2024. The upper surface of the worm is covered by flexible opalescent scales (top image) and the segmentation and bristles are visible on the animal's underside (bottom image).

$20,000

Neoferdina new species from the REd Sea

Neoferdina new species
This new species of Neoferdina sea star was collected during a scientific SCUBA diving expedition in the Red Sea.
Neoferdina new species
This photo shows the whole preserved specimen of the new species of Neoferdina sea star.

 

EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED SPECIES

 

Bathymodiolus spp.

These three species of deep-sea Pacific mussels are found at methane seeps with distinctive depth ranges. Bathymodiolus earlougheri (left) is named in memory of Robert Charles “Chuck” Earlougher by his daughter Jan and her husband Jim Hawkins. Bathymodiolus billschneideri (middle) and Bathymodiolus nancyschneiderae (right) are named in memory of San Diego nature enthusiasts, shell collectors, and collection supporters Bill and Nancy Schneider. (Read the scientific publication here.)

 

Chaetopterus dewysee

This parchment worm, Chaetopterus dewysee, lives in submarine canyons and coastal habitats in southern California, but was "hidden in plain sight" for over a century until Scripps researchers recognized it as a new species, distinct from its Atlantic relatives. It is named for research supporter Mary "Dewy" White, tying in the German word "See" (sea) for her love of the ocean. (Read the scientific publication here.)

 

 

Laminatubus paulbrooksi

 

Laminatubus joycebrooksae

Laminatubus joycebrooksae (top) and Laminatubus paulbrooksi (bottom) are two deep-sea tubeworms from methane seeps off Central America. They are named after Joyce and Paul Brooks, Friends of the Scripps Collections. (Read the scientific publication here.)

 

Ophryotrocha bohnorum

Ophryotrocha bohnorum is a small deep-sea worm with mighty jaws, found at hydrothermal vents near Tonga. It is named in recognition of Jeffrey and Brenda Bohn and their family. (Read the scientific publication here.)

 

Peinaleopolynoe mineoi

Peinaleopolynoe mineoi is a scaleworm that lives at deep-sea organic falls off the Central American Pacific. It is named in honor of Ronald M. Mineo, MD, with support from the Mineo family. (Read the scientific publication and the press release.)

 

Polygordius kurthcarolae
Polygordius kurthsusanae

Polygordius kurthcarolae (top) and Polygordius kurthsusanae (bottom) are two iridescent "knot worms," presented as wedding gifts from Janice and Matt Kurth to their daughters Carol and Susan. These worms are found in the sandy beaches of French Polynesia and the Great Barrier Reef. (Read the scientific publication here.)

 

Trilobodrilus Ellenscrippsae

Trilobodrilus ellenscrippsae​​​​​, a microscopic worm found among the sand grains of La Jolla Shores, is named after Scripps Institution of Oceanography benefactor Ellen Browning Scripps (1836-1932). (Read the scientific publication and the press release.)