A newly discovered deep-sea chiton, a type of marine mollusk, was officially named *Ferreiraella populi* in February 2026 after what unique naming process?

The newly identified deep-sea chiton, *Ferreiraella populi*, received its scientific designation in February 2026 after a truly unique and collaborative naming process: social media suggestions. This unusual approach to taxonomy saw scientists engage the public directly, inviting thousands of people to contribute their ideas for the mollusk's official name. This innovative method not only garnered significant public interest but also highlighted the fascinating world of deep-sea discoveries.

The initiative was a collaboration between the Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA), scientific publisher Pensoft Publishers, and popular science YouTuber Ze Frank. After the rare chiton was featured in one of Frank's "True Facts" videos, a call was put out for naming suggestions. This online campaign proved incredibly successful, with over 8,000 name ideas pouring in from social media platforms within a single week. The research team carefully reviewed the submissions, ultimately selecting *Ferreiraella populi*.

The chosen (Review) name itself, *Ferreiraella populi*, directly reflects this unprecedented public involvement. The species epithet "populi" is Latin for "of the people," acknowledging the global community's contribution to its scientific identity. Remarkably, 11 different participants independently suggested the same name, underscoring its fitting nature. This deep-sea mollusk, discovered in 2024 at a depth of 5,500 meters in Japan's Izu-Ogasawara Trench, is notable for its eight armored shell plates and an iron-clad radula, and it thrives on sunken wood.

Traditionally, the process of formally describing and naming new species can take many years, sometimes even decades. By embracing social media and public participation, the researchers not only accelerated the scientific description of *Ferreiraella populi* but also fostered greater awareness and engagement with marine biodiversity and the vital work of taxonomy. Its formal description was published in the open-access Biodiversity Data Journal, cementing its place in the scientific record through a truly democratic process.