A newly-discovered parasite has been named after President Obama, and the scientist who discovered the new species says it is meant as an honor, not an insult.
The parasite is called Baracktrema obamai, a thin, two-inch long flatworm that lives in the blood of turtles, the Associated Press reported.
The scientist who made the discovery is Thomas Platt, who recently retired from his position as a biology professor at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana. He has a lengthy history of discovering new species, according to the AP.
Platt, who discovered and named the flatworm to crown his career before retiring, has more than 30 new species to his credit. In the past, he’s named them after his father-in-law, his doctorate adviser, "and other people I have a great deal of respect for. This is clearly something in my small way done to honor our president," Platt said Thursday.
Platt is also a distant relative of Obama’s. He explained his decision to name the parasite after the president.
Parasites, which live in and get nutrients from host animals, get a bad rap. Platt says this one reminds him of the president: "It’s long. It’s thin. And it’s cool as hell."
Platt says Baracktrema obamai "are phenomenally incredibly resilient organisms."
"I hold them in awe and with phenomenal respect," Platt says.
The presidential parasite was introduced to the world in a study published in the Journal of Parasitology. It does not cause any harm to turtles, according to Platt.
A spider, fish, and extinct lizard have already been named after Obama, the AP noted.