Retired worker gets catfish named for him

updated 6:11 p.m. ET June 9, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Frank Gallagher spent 37 years as mailroom supervisor at a natural science museum — so long that he used to wisecrack that he should be part of the collection. Now he is.

Rhinodoras gallagheri is a new species of catfish named by fish scientist Mark Sabaj Perez at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.

Sabaj Perez, who manages the academy's collection of 1.3 million fish, said he was impressed by Gallagher's dedication.

"I simply thought, here is a guy who should be honored with his own catfish," Sabaj Perez said in a statement Monday.

Gallagher, who retired in 2003, said it was nice to be honored with his own species.

Rhinodoras gallagheri, commonly known the Orinoco thicklip catfish, is found in the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia.

New species often are named for prominent scientists, generous benefactors or even spouses — but not always.

A biologist recently named a new trapdoor spider after musician Neil Young, and in 2005, entomologists named a new slime-mold beetle after President George W. Bush.

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