Most sensible people think of trapdoor spiders with a mix of fascination and trepidation. Not East Carolina University biologist Jason Bond, he apparently thinks of peace, justice and musical innovation.

Bond has just named a new species of arachnid after musician, and greatest living Canadian, Neil Young. Actually he seems to have named it in December last year and there’s no obvious reason it’s only just been press released. Nevermind, it’s a cool looking spider,

“With regards to Neil Young, I really enjoy his music and have had a great appreciation of him as an activist for peace and justice,” says Bond (press release).

Different species of trapdoor spiders are apparently differentiated based on differences in their genitalia, but Bond also checked with DNA that Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi is a distinct species. Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi has already been added to the sizeable list of ‘animals named after celebrities’ on wikipedia.

Earlier this year Roy Orbison had an insect named after him. And University of Aberdeen researcher Nikki King named a new fish she discovered after her fiancé.

The first entry on Jason Bond’s lab blog implies that he has a wife called Kristen. He had better hope she doesn’t find out that Neil Young got the species name in advance of her… [UPDATE – see comment below.]

Neil Young gets new honor — his own spider – Reuters

Sneaky Spider Named for Rocker Neil Young – LiveScience

Image: ECU news services