Scientists have named a new species of deep-sea snails A. strummeri, a name that was picked in honor of the Clash’s Joe Strummer. The snails have been deemed pretty punk for their spiked shells and their habitat in the deepest parts of the ocean -- nearing 11,500 feet deep.

“Because they look like punk rockers in the ‘70s and ‘80s and they have purple blood and live in such an extreme environment, we decided to name one new species after a punk rock icon,” said Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute research, Shannon Johnson.

A. strummeri join other creatures named after musical icons, including a Bob Marley-named crustacean parasite and a species of jellyfish named after Frank Zappa.

“In our culture, it is one sure way to get species noticed,” said Quentin Wheeler, the director of the International Institute for Species Exploration at SUNY. “Some scientists frown on the practice, but their science is in trouble, and if a little humor helps, why not?”

Well, the Joe Strummer species of rock and roll snails certainly are on our radar now!

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