''Phialella zappai'' is a
species of
cnidarian
Cnidaria () is a phylum under kingdom Animalia containing over 11,000 species of aquatic animals found both in freshwater and marine environments, predominantly the latter.
Their distinguishing feature is cnidocytes, specialized cells that th ...
in the family
Phialellidae. It was named for musician
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American musician, composer, and bandleader. His work is characterized by wikt:nonconformity, nonconformity, Free improvisation, free-form improvisation, sound experimen ...
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.
"Here's your jelly, Frank!"
/ref>
See also
* List of organisms named after famous people (born 1900–1949)
References
Phialellidae
Animals described in 1987
Frank Zappa
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