Aegires - origin of name

March 21, 2002
From: Philip Cromwell

I'm curious: are the family Aegiretidae and genus Aegires named after the Norse and Celtic god of the sea Aegir?

Thanks,
Phil

chiron42@msn.com

Dear Phil,
Many scientific names, especially pre-1900 were based on mythological characters, often classical Greek and Roman, but unfortunately authors often didn't include an explanation for their names when they were first introduced. Considering Loven, the author of Aegires, was Scandinavian, I think you are probably correct in suggesting the name is based on Aegir.

As Thor and Odin are the only northern Gods I have ever heard of I had a quick check for information on Aegir. I see that in Norse mythology he was the god of the seashore and ocean. Although he was feared for causing storms when angry, he was also reknowned for his hospitality as the brewer of beer for the gods, the sea foam being considered homologous with the froth on a glass of beer.

- another vital piece of information to clog my failing neural network
Cheers,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Mar 21). Comment on Aegires - origin of name by Philip Cromwell. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6502

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