MCZ PhD candidate Richard (RJ) Knecht (Naomi Pierce Lab, Entomology) and co-authors describe two new species of whip scorpions from the Carboniferous Narragansett Basin of Massachusetts.
Parilisthelyphonus bryantae is named in honor of the late American arachnologist Elizabeth Bangs Bryant (1875–1953). Known for her studies of New England and Caribbean spiders, Bryant worked at the MCZ for over 50 years (1898–1950). She made significant contributions to the field of arachnology authoring 38 publications at a time when women were often discouraged from participating in scientific pursuits.
Inmontibusichnus charleshenryturneri is named in honor of the late African American zoologist Charles Henry Turner (1867–1923), best known for his work as an early pioneer in the field of social insect behavior. Turner faced numerous obstacles due to racism, including restrictions and access to laboratories and research libraries, not being allowed to have students at the undergraduate or graduate level, limited academic employment opportunities, and low pay. Despite these many challenges, he managed to publish more than 70 papers including three in Science (the first African American to be published in this journal) and made many significant contributions in his lifetime.