When you’re one of the most influential musicians ever the accolades and dedications can be vast and, yes, sometimes weird. And so it is for Bob Marley as he has been “honored” by having a blood-sucking parasite named after him.
What you see above is Gnathia marleyi, a parasite discovered in the Caribbean. Marine biologist Paul Sikkel of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, coined the name Gnathia marleyi as a blood-sucking parasitic shout-out to Marley.
Sikkel said:
“I named this species, which is truly a natural wonder, after Marley because of my respect and admiration for Marley’s music. Plus, this species is as uniquely Caribbean, as was Marley.”
While this certainly is a tad bit odd, I bet Marley would have loved it (so long as he didn’t have to stir it up with this little rascal). After all, even Gnathia marleyi is part of “One Love.”
Photo: Ann Marie Coile 2011/ Splash
