CBS 5's 'Big Bang Theory' Catchphrase Inspires New Bee Species
(CBS NEWS) - Bazinga! "The Big Bang Theory" character, scientist Sheldon Cooper, already has two Ph.Ds and an IQ of 187. But now he also has a bee dedicated to him.
A new species of the Brazilian orchid bee -- dubbed Euglossa bazinga -- has been named after Dr. Cooper's catchphrase "Bazinga."
On CBS' TV series, Cooper, played by actor Jim Parsons, uses the word after he pulls a trick on someone. Brazilian biologist Andre Nemesio from the Universidade Federal de Uberlandia recently discovered a new bee species that he thinks fits the "bazinga" bill. Because the new species so closely resembles the Euglossa ignita, a more common Western Brazilian orchid bee, it wasn't recognized as a separate species -- therefore it "tricked" scientists for years.
The paper states: "The specific epithet honors the clever, funny, captivating 'nerd' character Sheldon Cooper...Sheldon Cooper's favorite comic word "bazinga", used by him when tricking somebody, was here chosen to represent the character. Euglossa bazinga sp. n. has tricked us for some time due to its similarity to E. ignita, what led us to use 'bazinga.'"
Steven Molaro, one of "The Big Bang Theory's" executive producers, said, "We are always extremely flattered when the science community embraces our show. Sheldon would be honored to know that Euglossa bazinga was inspired by him. In fact, after 'Mothra' and griffins, bees are his third-favorite flying creatures."
Check out photos of the new bee species here.
"The Big Bang Theory" airs Thursdays at 8:00pm PST on CBS 5.
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