Scientists have discovered a new parasitic flatworm that lives in turtles’ blood and they have affectionately named it after Barack Obama.
This might seem fitting on many levels, but the name choice is reportedly an honor, not an insult.
Obama is now officially a parasite (it’s an honor) as biologists name worm after POTUS; https://t.co/IYCPLmXvMt pic.twitter.com/nA2oIdGgtp
— seth borenstein (@borenbears) September 8, 2016
According to Popular Science:
“A new species of blood fluke was found infecting the lungs of turtles in Malaysia. This parasitic flatworm has been dubbed Baracktrema obamai, in honor of the President of the United States (who is the fifth cousin twice removed of one of the discovering scientists).”
That scientist, Thomas Platt, discovered and named the flatworm. “This is clearly something in my small way done to honor our president,” Platt, a retired biology professor at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana, said Thursday according to the Associated Press.
Platt said Baracktrema obamai “are phenomenally incredibly resilient organisms,” and this one reminds him of the president: “It’s long. It’s thin. And it’s cool as hell.”
‘Cool’ Parasite Named After Obama https://t.co/yLOYeOKjjw pic.twitter.com/oUGAK1n2Ln
— Voice of America (@VOANews) September 9, 2016
The parasite, which lives in and gets nutrients from a host animal, can be added to the president’s growing list of honors including a spider, a fish and an extinct lizard named after him, according to AP.
How appropriate. https://t.co/hUDJykWUlX
— John Rocco (@johnrocco2016) September 8, 2016
Social media users reacted to the fitting announcement.
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Funny news ! President Obama is officially a parasite, thanks to scientists https://t.co/0HKYZdXgvn via @mashable
— Alison Duke (@therealgoldelox) September 9, 2016
— Mickey White (@BiasedGirl) September 8, 2016
— Shoshana Weissmann (@senatorshoshana) September 8, 2016
New Parasite That Kills 200k a Year Named After Barack Obama https://t.co/18y0J9GLqa pic.twitter.com/33EUqxYIou
— Russia Insider (@RussiaInsider) September 9, 2016
Scientists name parasite after Obama. Baracktrema Obamai is a tiny worm that lives in turtle blood. A more deserved award then the Nobel one
— Mike (@MTD1954) September 9, 2016
A new species of parasite has been named after Obama. True story?Seems appropriate✔️ https://t.co/cbdSbl5sLX pic.twitter.com/mo5EjhthLy
— Feisty☀️Floridian (@peddoc63) September 9, 2016
@peddoc63 Well now, he can add that to his legacy.
— Dennis Carrington (@floorapps) September 9, 2016
Insert joke here. https://t.co/56LY2acVIB
— Stephen Ohlemacher (@stephenatap) September 8, 2016
No irony here. https://t.co/Rw7wLRGNUr via @BreitbartNews
— Steve Milloy (@JunkScience) September 9, 2016
Scientist names parasite after his distant cousin: Barack Obama https://t.co/MS6bxNCiM1 pic.twitter.com/gW7wShdaK2
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 9, 2016
President Barack Obama is officially a parasite, scientists say https://t.co/2JZ45TtN1h
— TIME (@TIME) September 8, 2016
Apart from being remembered as the worst POTUS, Obamai is also immortalized as a turtle blood-parasite.https://t.co/GYB8GFhzKu
— R&G (@rgenci57) September 8, 2016
Oh, I’m sure people won’t use this as ammunition or anything https://t.co/B4XEBUkagH
— LOL Bike Lanes (@twkovach) September 8, 2016
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