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Joaquin Phoenix now has a spider named after him

By Racquel Quieta
Published June 30, 2020 2:24 PM PHT

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Joaquin phoenix


It may sound like a joke, but a newly discovered spider was really named after Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix. Find out why and see the spider HERE:

Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix has received numerous accolades during the span of his career. But this year, he's being honored in a very unique way: by naming a newly discovered spider after him.

Joaquin Phoenix | Photo by: Harald Krichel (Wikipedia)

The newfound spider in Iran was named Loureedia phoenixi. It belongs to a genus of spiders named after iconic punk rock musician Lou Reed, who rarely smiled and known to wear mostly black clothing. Hence, part of the spider's name is 'Loureedia.'

The Loureedia phoenixi. A new and easternmost species of Loureedia (Aranei: Eresidae) from Iran - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. | Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Habitus-of-in-vivo-specimens-of-Loureedia-phoenixi-spn-Alborz-Province-Karaj-N_fig1_342313071 [accessed 29 Jun, 2020] | Photos by: Alireza Zamani (Researchgate)

It was specifically given the name 'phoenixi' because the red and white pattern on its back had an uncanny resemblance to the makeup of the famous Batman villain, the Joker, whom Joaquin Phoenix portrayed in the film 'Joker' in 2019.

Joaquin Phoenix as Joker | Source: IMDB and Warner Bros.

The Loureedia phoenixi belongs to the Eresidae family, who are also known as velvet spiders. It is the first Loureedia spider to be identified outside of the Mediterranean region.

Live Science also reports that velvet spiders like the Loureedia phoenixi are known for their unusual habits such as building communal nests and caring for their young collectively.

Check out more photos of the Loureedia phoenixi below.

Habitus of in vivo specimens of Loureedia phoenixi sp.n. Alborz Province: Karaj (N. Sheikh) (a) , Tehran Province: Pardisan Park (A. Zamani) (b), Fars Province: Shiraz (Sh. Hesami) (c), Tehran Province: Kuhsar (B. Golavi) (d), Tehran Province: Rudehen (A. Bolhari) (e) and Kerman Province: Shahr-e Babak (H. Asgari) (f). Рис. 1. Внешний вид in vivo самцов Loureedia phoenixi sp.n. Провинция Альборз: Karaj (фото N. Sheikh) (a); провинция Тегеран: Pardisan Park (фото A. Zamani) (b), провинция Фарс: Шираз (фото Sh. Hesami) (c), провинция Тегеран: Kuhsar (фото B. Golavi) (d), провинция Тегеран: Rudehen (фото A. Bolhari) (e) и провинция Керман: Shahr-e Babak (фото H. Asgari) (f). DISTRIBUTION. From Morocco and Spain to Iran. Loureedia phoenixi sp.n. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: E3D2652B-2ED2-4C42-941F-AEBE91267524 Figs 1a-f, 2a-d, 3a-f, 4. Loureedia sp.: Henriques et al., 2018: 7, fig. 2h (#) TYPE MATERIAL. Holotype #, paratype 1 # (MHNG): IRAN, Alborz Province: Karaj, Chenarak, 35.8845821ºN, 50. 9306001ºE, 8.11.2019 (A. Beigi). PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS. 1 #: Alborz Province: Karaj, 11.10.2016 (N. Sheikh); 1 #: Fars Province: Shiraz, Shahrak-e Sadra, 29.8047439ºN, 52.4232364ºE, 02.11.2018 (Sh. Hesami); 1 #: Kerman Province: Shahr-e Babak, Meymand Vil., 30. 229139ºN, 55.3718125ºE, 27.10.2017 (H. Asgari); 1 #: Tehran Province: Kuhsar, 35.7744789ºN, 51.293026311ºE, 11.11.2018 (B. Golavi); 1 #: Pardisan Park, 35.7451381ºN, 51.3558087ºE, 5.11.2016 (A. Zamani); 1 #: Rudehen, 10.2015 (A. Bolhari). ETYMOLOGY. The new species is named after the American actor, producer and animal rights activist Joaquin Phoenix in recognition of his praised portrayal of the title character in the 2019 movie

What do you think, mga Kapuso? Does the spider really look like The Joker? Sound off in the comments section.

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