Unexpected things named after Barack Obama
- Published
A newly discovered flatworm is named for Mr Obama
As Barack Obama closes out his final days as US president, local governments are naming the usual libraries, motorways and schools in his honour.
The Barack Obama Presidential Center library is being erected in Chicago and students across the country are already enrolled in schools named after the nation's first African-American president.
But as well as the ceremonial plaques, sculptures, and buildings there are a few other things bearing Mr Obama's name that you may not have expected.
Parasite
Holotype of Baracktrema obamai, named after President Barack Obama
Baracktrema obamai is the second parasite whose moniker was inspired by Mr Obama.
The flatworm species, which has a long, thread-like body, infects Malaysian freshwater turtles and can be fatal.
"This is clearly something, in my small way, done to honour our president," said Dr Thomas R Platt, an expert on turtle parasites who discovered the species.
He also said he was a distant relative of Mr Obama.
Researchers have previously named a hairworm, the Paragordius obamai, found in Kenya, after Mr Obama. The worm was discovered near where Mr Obama's father lived.
Fish
The fish is found inside the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
As part of a tribute to Mr Obama's marine conservation efforts in the Pacific, scientists named a maroon and gold fish found off Kure Atoll at the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument off Hawaii.
In 2012, researchers named a vibrant blue and orange freshwater darter, Etheostoma Obama, after Mr Obama. The fish is found in the Duck and Buffalo Rivers of the Tennessee River drainage.
Lizard
The Obamadon, an extinct, foot-long lizard with straight teeth, was named for the president due to his smile.
Mountain
Mr Obama is among the US presidents to have the distinction of a mountain named in his honour - but in Antigua. The island nation renamed Boggy Peak, its highest mountain, for Mr Obama on his birthday in 2009.
Lichen
Researchers named Caloplaca obamae in honour of Mr Obama's support for science education
In 2007, researchers named the fungus, Caloplaca obamae, after Mr Obama at the close of his first presidential campaign. Scientists made the distinction in honour of Mr Obama's support for science education.
Petrol station
The County Offaly village of Moneygall was the birthplace of Barack Obama's great-great-great-grandfather
An Irish countryside service station, external located in County Offaly, between Dublin and Limerick, was officially named for the US president.
The Barack Obama Plaza includes a petrol station, food court and visitor centre that provides information on Mr Obama's connections to Moneygall.
Bread
In 2011 Irish bakers made Brack bread in the president's honour
Ahead of Mr Obama's visit to Ireland in 2011, bakers rushed to create Irish "Brack" bread - something Americans might refer to as a fruit loaf.
Moneygall resident Joseph Kearney delivered fresh orders to Mr Obama's ancestral Irish family members preparing for "O'Bama's" visit.
No word on if Mr Obama sampled one of the Irish treats
Bird
A Western Striolated puffbird, known as Nystalus obamai, is also named in honour of the president. The bird is found in western Amazonia.
School
A Kenyan village names two schools after Mr Obama
A Kenyan school in the village of Kogelo, where Mr Obama's father was born and buried, bears the name of Mr Obama.
The Senator Obama Kogelo Primary School and Senator Obama Kogelo Secondary School were named in his honour while he was an Illinois politician.
Spider
Aptostichus barackobamai is one of 33 trapdoor spider species discovered in 2013
A trapdoor spider, Aptostichus barackobamai, was also named for Mr Obama, a known Spider-Man fan.
The spider species, which is found in California, is one of 40 that belong to the genus Aptostichus.
Other notable species include Aptostichus stephencolberti and Aptostichus angelinajolieae.