Malvoliophis - What's behind the name?
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Malvoliophis pinguis - named after the character Malvolio, in the Shakespearean play 'Twelfth Night'.
A Halfband Snake Eel, Malvoliophis pinguis, photographed at a depth of 4m during a night dive at Camp Cove, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales on 20 August 2016.
Image: Andrew Trevor-Jones
© Andrew Trevor-Jones
© Andrew Trevor-Jones
Dr John McCosker of the California Academy of Sciences wrote:
"I must share with you a wonderful experience I had in 1972 when I first visited your museum. I had just finished my thesis and could explain the etymology of almost every ophichthid, but was stymied by Malvoliophis, named by your own Gilbert Whitley.
I had a beer with Gilbert across the way at the pub and asked him, at which point he arose, did a funny little dance, and said of course it was for Malvolio, of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, because of his cross-gartered leggings. He was polite and didn't sneer at my ignorance!"
A Halfband Snake Eel at a depth of 16 m, Bare Island, Botany Bay, New South Wales, August 2007.
Image: Michael McFadyen
© Michael McFadyen
© Michael McFadyen
