Top 10 – 2008
Number 1 – A Sleeper Ray with a Name that Sucks
Name: Electrolux addisoni
How it made the Top 10: This new genus and species is the largest known member of the electric ray family Narkidae, and made the Top 10 because of its unusual and amusing generic name. According to the authors: “The name alludes to the well-developed electrogenic properties of this ray (collectors and photographers have experienced the shocking personality of this bold, active and brightly patterned electric ray first-hand), the discovery of which sheds light (Latin, lux) on the rich and poorly known fish diversity of the Western Indian Ocean. And the vigorous sucking action displayed on the videotape of the feeding ray that was taken by Stephania and Peter Lamberti may rival a well-known electrical device used to suck the detritus from carpets, furniture, and other dust-gathering surfaces in modern homes.”
Reference: Compagno, L.J.V. & P.C. Heemstra. 2007. Electrolux addisoni, a new genus and species of electric ray from the east coast of South Africa (Rajiformes: Torpedinoidei: Narkidae), with a review of torpedinoid taxonomy. Smithiana Bulletin 7: 15-49.
Type material: Holotype, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown; paratype, South African Museum, Cape Town.