An international team of malacologists has discovered 46 new species of Southeast Asian microsnails, all under the genus Anauchen. One of them, Anauchen picasso, is named after Pablo Picasso because the angular patterns on its 3mm-wide shell resemble Cubism. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys, based on fieldwork in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, and comparisons with specimens from the Florida Museum of Natural History.
This discovery highlights the intersection of art and science, using an artist's distinctive style to name a new species. It also underscores the rich biodiversity of Southeast Asia and the ongoing work of taxonomists. The article further notes that Picasso is one of several cultural figures—including Belkis Ayón, Isabella Rossellini, and Prince—to have species named after them, reflecting a broader trend of honoring artists in scientific nomenclature.