Forget the Iron Throne, Dany, this is what your destiny has been leading you towards.
Tritonia khaleesi is a new species of sea slug recently discovered off the coast of north-east Brazil by scientists from the Federal University of Ceará. According to Felipe de Vasconcelos Silva, Victor Manuel De Azevedo, and Helena Matthews-Cascon’s research article:
Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov. is up to 12 mm long, with a slender white body, of which the notum is covered with one broad white band extending from between the eyes and veil to the tail; veil with 4 velar appendages; retractable white rhinophores; rhinophoral sheath with fleshy extension; seven pairs of branchial plumes; the anus is located between the 3rd and 4th gills on the right side, and the genital opening is under the 2nd gill. Internally, T. khaleesi sp. nov. is distinguished from other tritoniids by jaws with 10–14 rows of denticles on the inner lips, absence of stomach plates and the radular formula 32 × 2–5.1.1.1.2–5 teeth. Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov. is the only Tritonia that possesses a unicuspid rachidian tooth as an adult.
Just why did this species come to be named after a Game of Thrones character? Silva explained to Papelpop.com. The google translation reads, “The standard of the silver band on the back of the slug reminds braids Khaleesi of silver hair, especially in the last episode of the first season of the show. Besides silver color, the species is one of the smallest sea slugs, as well as Khaleesi is also described as low and new.”
Tumblr user, and “marine biology fanboy,” Gaymerbr gives us a side-by-side comparison:
Tritonia khaleesi joins the ranks of the parasite wasp named in honor of the Kill Bill character Beatrix Kiddo.
(via Wired)
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