New catfish named for longtime mailroom supervisor

[June 10, 2008]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Frank Gallagher spent 37 years as a mailroom supervisor at a natural science museum -- so long that he used to wisecrack that he should be part of the collection. Now he is.

Rhinodoras gallagheri is a new species of catfish named by scientist Mark Sabaj Perez at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.

Sabaj Perez, who manages the museum's collection of 1.3 million fish, said he was impressed by Gallagher's dedication, love for fellow employees and keen interest in science.

"I simply thought, 'Here is a guy who should be honored with his own catfish,'" Sabaj Perez said in a statement Monday.

Gallagher retired in 2003.

Rhinodoras gallagheri, commonly known as the Orinoco thicklip catfish, can be found in Venezuela and Colombia.

New species are often named for prominent scientists, generous benefactors or even spouses -- but not always.

A biologist recently named a new trapdoor spider after musician Neil Young, and in 2005, entomologists named a new slime-mold beetle after President Bush.

[Associated Press]

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