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, and now Scripps is inviting you 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 February 14, 2025

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE SPECIES FOR NAMING

$6,000

Anguillosyllis new species of deep-sea worm from Central America

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 of deep-sea worm 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 of deep-sea worm 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 of worm from Mexico

$6,000

Protodorvillea new species of worm from 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 of scaleworm 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 of scaleworm 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 of scaleworm 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).

$10,000

Sericosura new species of sea spider from Alaska

$20,000

Neoferdina new species OF SEA STAR from the REd Sea

$20,000

Biremis new species OF pompom worm from the deep pacific

$30,000

Dendronotus new species OF deep-sea sea slug off California

New species of sea slug — Nudibranchs are gastropod molliuscs that have lost their shell as adults. They have been called the butterflies of the sea given their popularity with the public. They are usually beautifully colored, as a warning to predators, and can be found in tide pools and by SCUBA. There are spectacular deep-sea nudibranchs as well. Here is a new species of *Dendronotus*, collected in 2013 and found feeding on hydroids at a methane seep off California.

$40,000

Spirobrachia new species OF deep-sea tubeworm off Alaska

New species of frenulate tubeworm — Frenulates are extraordinary annelid worms that ‘farm’ bacteria in their bodies and feed them hydrogen sulfide or methane. They live in tubes and project their delicate heads out to breathe. They are rare and hard to sample. This new species from very deep water off the Aleutian islands was sampled by the famous submersible *Alvin* in 2024.

$50,000

Oasisia new species OF deep-sea tubeworm off Alaska

New species of vestimentiferan tubeworm — Vestimentifera were discovered in 1968 and only live at hydrothermal vents and methane seeps. They are extraordinary annelid worms that ‘farm’ bacteria in their bodies and feed them hydrogen sulfide. They live in tubes and project their delicate heads out to breathe. This new species from hydrothermal vents near Easter Island was collected in 2005 by the famous submersible *Alvin*. There are around 20 species of Vestimentifera known worldwide, and this will likely be one of the last species ever to be named from the eastern Pacific.

EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED SPECIES

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.)

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 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 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 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 (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, 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.)