Researchers have recently identified two new species of freshwater snails from Brazil, naming them after characters from The Lord of the Rings.
Scientists have awarded names to two newly identified freshwater snail species from Brazil, inspired by characters from The Lord of the Rings.
As detailed in the open-access journal Zoosystematics and Evolution, the snails Idiopyrgus eowynae and Idiopyrgus meriadoci pay tribute to Éowyn and Meriadoc Brandybuck, cherished figures from J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary tale.
In their research paper, the authors elaborate on the naming of Idiopyrgus eowynae, remarking, “Éowyn exemplifies bravery, resilience, and resistance against darkness, both within and around her, standing firm against GrÃma Wormtongue and the Witch-king of Angmar.”
When discussing Idiopyrgus meriadoci, they state, “In addition to supporting Éowyn against the Witch-king during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Merry represents the struggle for environmental conservation in Middle-earth, motivating the Ents to act and ultimately thwarting Saruman’s menace to Fangorn Forest.”
The two new species are troglobitic and were discovered in a unique limestone cave located in the Serra do Ramalho karst region of Bahia state in northeastern Brazil. These gastropods belong to the family Tomichiidae, a group formerly known for dwelling in surface freshwater habitats, which has now demonstrated an adaptation to underground environments.
Both snails possess distinctive periostracal hairs—spike-like structures—on their shells, a characteristic not commonly seen among Brazilian freshwater snails. Their adaptations for cave life include diminished coloration, delicate shells, and a smaller size.
The Gruna do Pedro Cassiano cave, the site where these snails were found, is a fragile ecosystem facing threats from water extraction, deforestation, and climate change. Given the limited range of these species and the environmental risks to their subterranean habitat, the researchers suggest classifying them as vulnerable. These findings underscore the need to safeguard Brazil’s underground biodiversity and highlight concerns regarding the effects of human activities on these sensitive ecosystems.
Concerning his choice of Tolkien-inspired names for the new species, lead author Dr. Rodrigo B. Salvador at the Finnish Museum of Natural History commented, “I often incorporate various pop culture references into my species names—from literature, comics, Dungeons & Dragons, and video games. It’s important to note the long-standing tradition in taxonomy that embraces names from mythology and literature.”
“In the past, many of those names derived from Greek and Roman mythology or works by Shakespeare. Today, newer tales and literary classics continue to emerge, so in a sense, we’re just carrying on that tradition.”
