Gnathia jimmybuffetti explained

Gnathia jimmybuffetti is a species of isopod native to the Florida Keys.^[1] It was described by a team of researchers from the University of Miami and North-West University in 2023.^[2] This makes it the first new species of gnathiid to be discovered in Florida over the past 100 years.^[3]

Etymology

Gnathia jimmybuffetti is named after American singer Jimmy Buffett.^[4] Isopods are a type of crustacean, a subphylum referenced in the title of Buffett's 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean.

Description

Gnathia jimmybuffetti measures roughly three-millimeters in length. It possesses a slightly produced frontal margin, making it distinguishable from other species in the region.

Ecology

Diet

Gnathia jimmybuffetti is a parasitic isopod that feeds on mostly fishes. It feeds mostly on french grunts, Haemulonflavolineatum, bluestriped grunt, and Haemulon sciurus.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Marine . University of Miami Rosenstiel School of . Atmospheric . Science . Earth . Scientists discover new isopod species in the Florida Keys . 2023-07-25 . phys.org . en.
2. Web site: Scientists discover new isopod species in the Florida Keys . 2023-07-25 . EurekAlert! . en.
3. Erasmus . Anja . Hadfield . Kerry A . Sikkel . Paul C . Smit . Nico J . 2023-07-01 . Morphological Description and Molecular Characterization of Gnathia Jimmybuffetti Sp. Nov. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Gnathiidae): the First New Gnathiid in 100 Years from the Floridian Ecoregion. . Bulletin of Marine Science . 99 . 3 . 353–375 . 10.5343/bms.2023.0040.
4. Web site: Herald . HOWARD COHEN Miami . 2023-08-09 . Newly found sea creature named for music legend Buffett . 2023-09-03 . The Independent Tribune . en.