Sharks: An Eponym Dictionary [Hardcover]

This fascinating reference book delves into the origins of the vernacular and scientific names of sharks, rays, skates and chimeras. Each entry offers a concise biography, revealing the hidden stories and facts behind each species’ name.

Full of interesting facts and humourous titbits, the authors’ extensive research and detective work has made this book a comprehensive source of knowledge on everyone associated with the naming of a species. A fascinating resource for anyone with an interest in sharks, from curious naturalist to professional ichthyologist, it is an essential addition to the library of anyone wishing to satisfy those tickling questions on the mysteries behind the names.

Sometimes a name refers not to a person but to a fictional character or mythological figure.Eptatretus eosis named after the Greek goddess of the dawn in reference to the pink colouring of the hagfish. The Chilean RoundrayUrotrygon cimar, named after Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología in honour of its 20th anniversary, and the Angular AngelsharkSquatina Guggenheim, named after the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, are both named after institutions. The Whiteleg SkateAmblyraja taafis just a shorthand way of describing a toponym – Territoire des Terres australes et antarctiques françaises. There are also entries which are light-hearted such as the one for a lady who told us that decoration of her cakes have included roughtail skateBathyraja trachura, red abaloneHaliotis rufescens, and chinook salmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha.

Following the success of their previous Eponym Dictionaries, the authors have joined forces to give the Elasmobranch group of fishes a similar treatment but they have also included the describers and authors of the original descriptions of the fishes involved, in addition to those names that are, or appear to be, eponyms.

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