The Eponym Dictionary of Amphibians

by Bo Beolens, Michael Watkins & Michael Grayson

The authors have tracked down 1,609 honoured individuals and composed for each, a brief, pithy biography. In some cases these are a reminder of the courage of scientists whose dedicated research in remote locations exposed them to disease and even violent death. The eponym ensures that their memory will survive.

Sometimes a name refers not to a person but to a fictional character of mythical figure. The Forest Stubfoot Toad Atelopus farci is named after the FARC, a Colombial guerilla army who found refuge in the toad's habitat and thereby, it is claimed, protected by it. Hoipollo's Bubble-nest Frog Pseudophilautus hoipolloi was named after the Greek for 'the many', but someone assumed the reference was to a Dr Hoipollo.

Meanwhile, the man who has everything will never refuse an eponym, Treefrog Dendropsophus stingi is named after rock musician Sting, in honour of his commitment and efforts to save the rainforest.