A team of scientists from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has discovered several new species of ants while researching insects. They now want to name them after Pokémon GO in honor of it and are asking the internet for help.
What happened? A Japanese team of ant researchers has discovered new species of ants on Fiji Island in the South Pacific that are found exclusively there.
Not just one or two new species have been discovered, but over 800, which now need new names.
So the research team decided to let users on the internet name some of these ant species after various Pokémon.
The scientists have thought about significantly narrowing down the list of possible naming options. The list mainly consists of insect Pokémon. A few exceptions include fan favorites like Pikachu or Mewtwo.
There is a connection to Pokémon GO
Why are the ants named after Pokémon? In the project, the scientists have used augmented reality for the first time in documenting new species. This led the team to associate it with Pokémon GO, as it represents one of the best-known uses of AR.
Through an online poll, the Okinawa team also wants to bring young people closer to the process of scientifically naming a new species. They also want to draw public attention to “all the incredible insects out there” that “have yet to be discovered.”
This and the fact that the scientists in the team are Pokémon fans themselves and really want the Tapus Pokémon from the Alola region to win.
Pokémon originally inspired by insects: Naming the ants with Pokémon names would essentially bring Pokémon back to its origins. The creator of Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri, was a passionate collector of insects during his childhood.
He even developed new techniques on how to attract different insects. Thus, his childhood hobby is strongly reflected in his life’s work, Pokémon.
If you also want to participate in the voting, you can do so on this special voting page .
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