Phil Hoenle discovered a new Strumigenys species in the study site. Within the large global ant genus Strumigenys, this species is a morphologically outlier with its long trap-jaw mandibles and smooth surface sculpturing. The species description in ZooKeys caught a lot of attention by the media: it was not only named after a popular artist (Michael Stipe), but also by using a gender-neutral epithet for the first time – Strumigenys ayersthey.
Selected Media Coverage:
New Scientist: Ant species given first gender-neutral scientific name
Rolling Stone Magazine: Michael Stipe Helps Name Ant Species After Andy Warhol Superstar