| Phialella zappai | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hydrozoa |
| Order: | Leptomedusae |
| Suborder: | Conica |
| Family: | Phialellidae |
| Genus: | Phialella |
| Species: | P. zappai |
| Binomial name | |
| Phialella zappai Boero, 1987 |
|
Phialella zappai is a species of cnidarian named for musician Frank Zappa.[1] It was named by Ferdinando "Nando" Boero, a jellyfish expert from Genova, Italy who wrote to Zappa hoping to meet the musician whom he admired. Zappa replied saying "there is nothing I would like better than having a jellyfish with my name" leading to a meeting, and eventually a friendly acquaintance, between the biologist and the musician.[2]