Name Recognition

The International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) at Arizona State University issued their Top Ten New Species list, which spotlights flora and fauna described during the previous year. Since there are thousands of new species discovered each year, the Institute picks only the most interesting or, in some cases, deadly for their list. The new list includes lethal animals like a box jellyfish (Malo kingi), named after Robert King, who apparently died after he was stung by this species, and the Central Ranges Taipan (Oxyuranus temporalis), now thought to be one of the most venomous snakes in the world.
The list also includes a shocking-pink dragon millipede, whose coloring says more about its toxicity than its fashion sense. There's a succulent plant called "The Michelin Man" and a sleeper ray from the east coast of South Africa that was named after the Electrolux vacuum cleaner brand due to the animal's ability to suck up prey in the water. This got me to thinking: Are the other nine hundred and ninety odd species that were discovered last year less interesting than their cleverly named counterparts? Does it help to have a good agent?
This trend confirms my belief that there are plenty of plants and animals out there with names suited primarily for the amusement of the scientists investigating them. This is never more apparent to me than our avian friends. Consider, if you will, the Blue-Footed Booby. Imagine this poor bird's struggle to get a decent job when he has to write that on all his applications, last name first, first name last. I makes me wonder what they call us behind our backs: "Hey, look at that Pinheaded Nitpicker!"