Xenicus jagmi (Millener, 1988) (1 Viewer)

[Taphrospilus]

Xenicus jagmi (Millener, 1988)
Philip R. Millener, 1988
Contributions to New Zealand's Late Quaternary Avifauna. I: Pachyplichas, a New Genus of Wren (Aves: Acanthisittidae), with Two New Species
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 18: 383-406

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03036758.1988.10426464

The Eponym Dictionary of Birds claims:

Grant-Mackie's Wren Pachyplichas jagmi Millener, 1988 EXTINCT
Dr Jack A. Grant-Mackie (b.1932) is a palaeontologist. He taught at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, in the Department of Geology where the Triassic-Jurassic marine faunas of the south-west Pacific, especially molluscs, are his principal research interest. Since retiring (1998) he is still an honorary research associate there, although he hopes to ease himself out over the next 12 months (2013). His secondary interest is New Zealand fossil birds, especially of the Quaternary. He co-wrote 'The Jurassic palaeobiogeography of Australasia' in Memoirs of the Australasian Association of Palaeontologists (2000). The scientific honorific is a 'joke' based on Grant-Mackie's initials, perpetrated by Millener, one of his PhD students, who wrote the description – but it is nonetheless valid.

The Key to Scientific Names

Prof. Dr John Augustus Grant-Mackie (b. 1932) New Zealand geologist, palaeontologist; “The specific name is derived from Dr Grant-Mackie’s initials, commonly used as an affectionate appellation by his students” (Millener 1988) (‡Xenicus).

Just want to add R.I.P. He died 20. February 2021.

 

[l_raty]

The scientific honorific is a 'joke' based on Grant-Mackie's initials, perpetrated by Millener, one of his PhD students, who wrote the description

Having a hard time understanding what justified this comment ("perpetrated" by Beolens et al ?), given the explicit etymology provided by Millener...

 

[fatbirder]

What's to 'understand'. Instead of using full name, or surname or forename as is the convention the binomial is based on initials or nickname so is mildly humerous... obviously, unlike some commentators, they didn't take themselves too seriously.

 

[Taphrospilus]

One can certainly argue if....

Etymology: The species is named for Dr John A. Grant-Mackie, Associate Professor of Geology, Auckland University, who has been an inspiration to many graduate students,
an enthusiastic collector and, by way of his published papers, a valued contributor in the field of avian palaeontology. The specific name is derived from Dr Grant-Mackie's initials, commonly used as an affectionate appellation by his students.

... humor or something else (like simply showing a kind of respect). I would read affectionate appellation as the second option. But it is just an opinion/interpretation nothing more and/or less. Obviously I laughed more when I read Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book.