The diehard Star Wars fans among you don’t need to be told that today is Star Wars Day. But for those who are impartial to the franchise, today is simply May the Fourth1.
But what neither of you may know are the connections between those outer space galaxies far, far away and our 'inner space' oceans – both vast, mysterious realms that remain largely unexplored and filled with abundant alien life.
Ocean currents are one such connection. A great terrestrial Force pushing water around the world. Driven by wind, tides, the Earth's rotation, and differences in water density, they play a crucial role in distributing heat, nutrients, and oxygen and support diverse marine ecosystems. These powerful currents, much like the Force that influences all life in the Star Wars universe, are everything to our ocean, supporting a diversity of life to rival any intergalactic cantina.
So, perhaps it’s no surprise that over 25 species (oceanic and otherwise) have been named after Star Wars characters so far. From hairy sidekicks turned flying insect to an entire genus named after a certain small and wise Jedi, here are just a few:
Han solo trilobite
Apparently, someone dared scientist Samuel Turvey to name this trilobite after the fan-favourite smuggler and in true Han Solo style, he actually did it. Though the genus name Han is in recognition of the Han people of China (where the fossil of the trilobite was found and where this species lived around 470 million years ago) , the urge to officially name it Han Solo was simply too irresistible. However, solo is also a nod to the fact that there’s only one species in this genus so far.
Albunione yoda
Found living in crab gills off the coast of Taiwan, the Albunione yoda might be the only parasitic marine isopod to look even remotely ‘cute’. The females of the species grow to a teeny 8.6 millimetres and their name comes from their Yoda-ear-like protrusions coming out of their head. Honestly, a bit of stretch with this one, the similarities are.
Yoda purpurata acorn worm
An eyeless acorn worm named after the beloved Jedi Master, this striking species was discovered 2500 metres deep in the Atlantic Ocean. A marine invertebrate, it sports distinctive floppy 'lateral lips' reminiscent of Yoda's ears which give it its name. It uses these ‘lips’ to feed on seafloor sediment, leaving behind spiral traces of poo that resemble crop circles. Sounds like they know something we don’t…
Wockia chewbacca moth
Named after Han Solo's furry sidekick, the Wockia chewbacca moth shares more than just a name with the famous Wookie. Both are known for their impressive size and hairiness, but Chewie is perhaps a little easier on the eyes.
Agathidium vaderi
Named for its "broad, shiny, helmet-like head," the Agathidium vaderi beetle may be small, but it still shares a striking resemblance to the Jedi gone bad. This fungus-eating beetle joins a host of other insects named after the Sith Lord, including a genus of mites, a wasp, an ant, and even a housefly. These creatures may not be particularly well-liked but just like Darth Vader there is some good in them!
As the Jedi protect the galaxy, we must safeguard our oceans and the fascinating creatures that inhabit them. This May the Fourth, let's remember: "Rebellions are built on hope." While we marvel at the incredible biodiversity of our oceans, we must also fight to protect it.
Here at Beached we are building a community that can put our brains and resources together to highlight and fund solutions to the problems facing the weird and wonderful creatures in our ocean. I hope you’ll join our humble community and click subscribe for free or support our work by purchasing the paid subscription.
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Amie 🐋
4th May, really.
A thousand likes, this earns! Can we name something oceanic after Jabba the Hutt? Good, it would be!