The origin of the name Tambja eliora

Dear Eliora,

If you look at the species Fact Sheet you will see that the full species name is Tambja eliora (Marcus & Marcus, 1967).  Ernst & Eveline Marcus were the scientists who named the species in an article published in 1967. I have done a quick check of the article but could find no reason why they named it 'eliora'. It is usual practice to provide an explanation when making new names but the Marcus's were not good at it, especially Ernst. For example in a large article on the Opisthobranchs of California (Marcus, 1961) the editor of the journal The Veliger insisted on explanations for the new names. After much correspondence the best they could get from Marcus was the note that 'some of the names are derived from folkloric names for seals'. Whether that was true or not, honour was satisfied and the paper was published.

A possible reason the Marcus's used the name eliora, which I see is of Hebrew origin, is their own background. They moved to Brazil from Germany before  World War II to escape Hitler and the Nazis. My guess is that the name eliora was part of their cultural background - perhaps a friend or relative or just part of their history and literature. I'm am sure, if they were still with us, that they wouldn't mind if you adopted Tambja eliora as your own.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman