On a First-Name Basis

A look at a few remarkable creatures named after Sir David Attenborough

For the most part, a good portion of the species out there have both a scientific name and a common name. But what’s not so usual? Having over 20 organisms named after you. That’s the Attenborough effect in full swing. Sir David’s dedication to the natural world has landed him a number of creatures, both past and present, with some iteration of the name Attenborough. From inspiring those who made the discovery, to simply being honored for his contribution to conservation and natural history, here are a few of the big and not-so-big guys on the list.

Attenborosaurus conybeari 

Translates to: Attenborough’s lizard
What: An extinct plesiosaur 
Where: England
When: 1993
Why: Robert Baker wanted to honor Attenborough’s role in popularizing prehistoric life and his love and preservation for the natural world. 

Auroralumina attenboroughii

What: Fossil of the oldest living relative of mammals
Where: Charnwood Forest, England
When: 2014
Why: As a child, David grew up around Charnwood, and he has continued to pay homage to the fossils of his stomping grounds throughout his career. 

Sirdavidia solannona

What: Tree genus and species 
Where: Crystal Mountains, Gabon
When: 2015 
Why: To honor Sir David’s lifelong dedication to nature and evolution, and the impact he had on the group of researchers who made the discovery. This was also the first time an entire genus was named in his honor. 

Nepenthes attenboroughii

Translates to: Attenborough’s pitcher plant
What: Carnivorous plant
Where: Palawan, Philippines 
When: 2009
Why: Botanist Stewart McPherson chose the name as an expression of gratitude for Sir David’s work in sharing the natural world with the masses.

Hieracium attenboroughianum

Translates to: Attenborough’s hawkweed
What: Wildflower 
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
When: 2015
Why: This was the first living species named after David, in celebration of inspiring the taxonomist Dr. Tim Rich to study ecology. A name David called the “greatest of biological compliments.”  

Blakea attenboroughii

Translates to: Attenborough tree (though not a direct translation, moreso a common name)
What: Andes shrub
Where: Ecuador
When: 2009
Why: Sir David’s work in conservation and botany, and his efforts to help raise funds with the World Land Trust to protect areas in Ecuadorian preserves, inspired the botanists who discovered the plant. 

Acisoma attenboroughi

Translates to: Attenborough’s pintail
What: Dragonfly
Where: Madagascar 
When: 2016
Why: Named in honor of his 90th birthday and his inspiration to generations of scientists.

Nothobranchius attenboroughi

Translates to: Attenborough's killifish
What: Species of African killifish
Where: Tanzania
When: 2020
Why: In recognition of Sir David’s lifelong work of promoting biophilia: a human being’s fondness and affinity for the natural world.

Platysaurus attenboroughi

Translates to: Attenborough's flat lizard
What: Species of flat lizard
Where: South Africa & southern Namibia
When: 2015
Why: After the docuseries Life in Cold Blood highlighted a related species of flat lizard, the scientists who went on to discover this new species got to spend time with Sir David, who, they said, “propelled [flat lizards] to stardom.”

Syracosphaera azureaplaneta

Translates to: The Blue Planet plankton
What: Species of coccolithophore
Where: The ocean
When: 2018
Why: The Latin species name azureaplaneta is a tribute to David’s Blue Planet docuseries and his tireless work to shed light on the waters of the world.