A new species of millipede has been named after Taylor Swift

According to Phys.org, a team of Virginia Tech scientists chose to name one of 17 new species of millipede found in the Appalachian mountains after Swift, with Derek Hennen, the lead author of the study, saying it's a way for him to thank Swift for her music.

The Swift-inspired millipede species is called the Nannaria swiftae, and is described as a "twisted-claw millipede".

Hennen said of naming the species after Swift, "Her music helped me get through the highs and lows of graduate school, so naming a new millipede species after her is my way of saying thanks."

On Twitter, he added, "This new millipede species is Nannaria swiftae: I named it after Taylor Swift! I'm a big fan of her music, so I wanted to show my appreciation by naming this new species from Tennessee after her. A high honor!"

This new millipede species is Nannaria swiftae: I named it after @taylorswift13! I'm a big fan of her music, so I wanted to show my appreciation by naming this new species from Tennessee after her. A high honor! pic.twitter.com/fXml3xX5Vs

— Derek Hennen, Ph.D. (@derekhennen) April 15, 2022