Deep Sea Acorn Worms Named After Yoda

Yoda purpurata is the name now given to one of three new species of deep sea acorn worms or Enteropneusts discovered 2,500m or around 1.5 miles below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.
(Credit: David Shale)

Oct. 7, 2012 —

They may not be green but they do live in an ocean far, far away, and now they share the same moniker as the diminutive Jedi master,  in the Star Wars blockbusters.

Yoda purpurata -- to be exact -- is the name now given by a University of Aberdeen-led team of scientists to one of three new species of deep sea acorn worms or Enteropneusts discovered 2,500m or around 1.5 miles below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.
There is much interest in these deep sea hemichordates since they are close to the evolutionary link between vertebrates and invertebrates.

After studying the specimens researchers recovered two years ago during a voyage aboard the RSS James Cook, they have officially named the three new species identified as belonging to the Torquaratoridae family.

A reddish-purple acorn worm with large lips either side of its head region reminded researchers of floppy-eared Star Wars character Yoda while pupurata is Latin for purple and describes its colourful hue.

Professor Monty Priede said: "Our colleague in California Nick Holland, the world authority on the Enteropneusts, chose the name Yoda, for the new genus characterised by its large ear-like lips."

Source: ScienceDaily