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Today’s snail: Aegista mackensii

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Are you constantly embarrassed at parties when people ask your favorite species of terrestrial snail and you don’t have one on hand? If so, I’d like to make a humble recommendation for the species Aegista diversifamilia. The story of this snail’s naming is one of my favorite wholesome biology anecdotes, and absolutely the reason this gastropod will forever hold my number one snail spot.

In 2014 a team of scientists from Taiwan collected genetic data to support a new species of snail that had long been confused for the more commonplace A. subchinensis. After much consideration, they decided to name this animal Aegista diversifamilia, which means “the diverse forms of human families”. Dr. Yen-Chang Lee, one of the authors on the paper, explained this decision like this:

“It was a period when Taiwan and many other countries and states were struggling for the recognition of same-sex marriage rights. It reminded us that Pulmonata land snails are hermaphrodite animals, which means they have both male and female reproductive organs in single individual. They represent the diversity of sex orientation in the animal kingdom. We decided that maybe this is a good occasion to name the snail to remember the struggle for the recognition of same-sex marriage rights."

How lovely is that? Same-sex marriage was still illegal in Taiwan at the time and I just adore these scientists honoring the fight for equality with this obviously loving tribute to the diversity of the natural world. Sometimes you can show compassion and solidarity for the struggles of your fellow humans simply by naming a snail and I really think that’s just magnificent.