A group of scientists have named a new species of water mite after Jennifer Lopez after listening to her music while doing their research.
The biologists made the discovery while in Puerto Rico, where the Bronx-born singer has roots.
Vladimir Pesic, from the University of Montenegro, said the newly baptised Litarachna lopezae mite was found on a coral reef in Mona Passage, a treacherous body of water that separates Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
“The reason behind the unusual choice of name for the new species is … simple: J.Lo’s songs and videos kept the team in a continuous good mood when writing the manuscript and watching World Cup Soccer 2014,” said Mr Pesic
He called it a small token of gratitude for the singer of hits such as Ain’t It Funny, I Luh Ya Papi and his personal favourite, All I Have.
The species was found at a depth of nearly 70m (230ft), the greatest depth that pontarachnid mites have been found until now, according to their study.
Over the years, scientists have named dozens of organisms in honour of famous people.
Mick Jagger, for example, has a type of trilobite named after him, while one spider was named after U2’s Bono and a marine parasite found only in the Caribbean sea was named after Bob Marley.
Pesic said that while he and other scientists rooted for different teams during the World Cup, they found common ground with Lopez.
“As European, I supported Germany, but the whole team was united with J.Lo songs,” he wrote.
Lopez performed at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Brazil last month.
