A 'fish' called Murphy
Published: 2 October 2014
A newly-discovered genus of Zambian freshwater phytoplankton has been named in honour of a University of Glasgow plant and freshwater ecologist.
A newly-discovered genus of Zambian freshwater phytoplankton has been named in honour of a University of Glasgow plant and freshwater ecologist.
Dr Kevin Murphy, who retired from his position as senior lecturer in the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine last year, inspired the naming of Actinellopsis murphyi gen. et spec. nov.
Writing on the discovery in the journal Phytotaxa, the authors, led by Dr Jonathan Taylor of North-West University in South Africa, note that they named the small-celled diatom ‘to honour [Dr Murphy’s] contributions to the extension of the knowledge of the Zambian fauna and flora.’
Dr Murphy was project co-ordinator on the SAFRASS (South African River Assessment Scheme) project, which aims to build capacity to improve safe water supply and protect riverine biodiversity
support in rivers of southern tropical Africa. A SAFRASS-linked study conducted between 2010 and 2012 led to the team's discovery.
The paper, 'Actinellopsis murphyi gen. et spec. nov.: A new small celled freshwater diatom (Bacillariophyta, Eunotiales) from Zambia', is available online at www.mapress.com/phytotaxa
First published: 2 October 2014
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