Every Species Discovered and Named After Pokemon

In 2008, Japanese researchers at the Osaka Bioscience Institute discovered a protein essential for transmitting visual signals in the retina. They needed a name that captured its remarkable speed-electrical impulses race through this protein at extraordinary rates, enabling precise eye movement tracking. The scientists chose Pikachurin, after Pokemon’s iconic electric mouse. The name wasn’t just a joke. Lead researcher Shigeru Sato explained that Pikachurin’s “lightning-fast” signal transmission reminded the team of Pikachu’s electric abilities. The protein plays a crucial role in how photoreceptor cells communicate with nerve cells, and defects in Pikachurin have been linked to muscular dystrophy affecting eye movement. The discovery was published in Nature Neuroscience, one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the field. Pokemon’s official mascot now has a permanent place in medical research, cited in studies about vision disorders and retinal function. Every ophthalmology student who studies the visual system encounters Pikachu in their textbooks.

Deep in Madagascar’s Ranomafana National Park, a tiny parasitoid wasp was waiting to be discovered-and to receive a very specific name. In 2011, entomologists M. Nielsen and M.L. Buffington formally described Stentorceps weedlei, named after the Bug/Poison-type Pokemon Weedle. The connection wasn’t random. Both the wasp and Weedle share a distinctive physical feature: a prominent horn or spine protruding from the head. This spike is actually the key diagnostic characteristic that distinguishes S. weedlei from other species in its genus. When the scientists saw that horn, the Pokemon reference was inevitable. The wasp belongs to the family Figitidae, which are parasitoids-meaning their larvae develop inside other insects, eventually killing the host. It was collected using a Malaise trap at 1,100 meters elevation in a high-altitude rainforest. The species remains known only from its type locality in Madagascar, making it extremely rare. Its Pokemon namesake, however, is one of the most common creatures in the Kanto region.

Here’s where things get interesting. In 2014, paleontologists Steven U. Vidovic and David M. Martill examined pterosaur fossils from Bavaria, Germany, and determined they represented a distinct genus. They named it Aerodactylus-explicitly after the Rock/Flying-type Pokemon Aerodactyl. The fossils date to the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. This flying reptile soared through prehistoric skies long before the dinosaurs went extinct. When it came time to name the genus, the researchers acknowledged the obvious visual similarity to Pokemon’s fossil-resurrection creature and made the reference official. What makes this particularly fascinating is the circular inspiration. Aerodactyl the Pokemon was designed to look like a pterosaur. Now a real pterosaur is named after the Pokemon that was inspired by pterosaurs. The scientific name means “wind finger,” combining the reference to Aerodactyl with the Greek root for pterosaur names. Some paleontologists have disputed whether Aerodactylus is distinct enough from Pterodactylus to warrant its own genus, but the name remains in scientific literature regardless of the ongoing taxonomic debate.

In 2020, entomologists Yun Hsiao and Darren Pollock made Pokemon history by naming not one, but three new beetle species after the legendary bird trio. Binburrum articuno was the first, honoring the Ice/Flying-type legendary from Generation I. These beetles belong to the fire-colored beetle family (Pyrochroidae), which makes naming them after Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres delightfully ironic. They’re endemic to Australia, found primarily in Tasmania and Victoria, where their larvae develop under the moist bark of dead trees. The species received significant media coverage when the names were announced. USA Today, CNN, and gaming publications worldwide reported on scientists paying tribute to Pokemon. Hsiao and Pollock explained they wanted names that would be memorable and help draw attention to these obscure insects. Binburrum articuno is less than a foot long with distinctive spotted wing covers. Like all members of its genus, it’s rarely encountered and poorly studied. But thanks to its Pokemon name, it’s now one of the most famous beetles in Australia.

The second member of the legendary beetle trio, Binburrum zapdos honors the Electric/Flying-type Pokemon known for its spiky yellow plumage and thunderstorm associations. Like its siblings articuno and moltres, this species was described by Hsiao and Pollock in their revision of the Binburrum genus. All three beetles were discovered in different Australian localities but share similar ecological requirements. They depend on decaying wood in temperate forests, making them indicators of forest health. Conservation scientists have noted that species like these are often overlooked despite playing important roles in nutrient cycling. The naming choice generated discussion about whether pop culture references belong in scientific nomenclature. Traditionalists argued for more descriptive Latin names, while supporters pointed out that memorable names help raise awareness for obscure species. The debate isn’t new-scientists have named organisms after celebrities, fictional characters, and even obscene jokes for centuries. Regardless of the controversy, Binburrum zapdos is now permanently part of the scientific record, linking Pokemon’s electric legendary to Australian biodiversity.

Binburrum moltres completes the set, named after the Fire/Flying-type legendary bird. This beetle, like its counterparts, emerged from Hsiao and Pollock’s comprehensive study of the Binburrum genus-a group of fire-colored beetles that had been poorly understood for decades. The irony of naming fire-colored beetles after fire, ice, and electric birds wasn’t lost on the researchers. The Pyrochroidae family gets its name from the Greek words for fire (pyr) and color (chroma), referring to the red and orange coloration common in the group. So at least Moltres fits the family theme. These three species represent a significant expansion of known Binburrum diversity. Before Hsiao and Pollock’s work, the genus contained only a handful of described species. Their research added articuno, zapdos, moltres, and several others, nearly doubling the number of known species. The beetles’ Pokemon names have made them unusually famous for insects. Collectors and Pokemon fans alike have shown interest in these Australian endemics, potentially driving more research attention toward an otherwise neglected group.

Not every Pokemon name sticks. In 2005, researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discovered a gene that, when mutated, could trigger the development of cancer. They named it Pokemon-an acronym for POK Erythroid Myeloid ONtogenic factor. The name was published in the prestigious journal Nature. Scientists began using “Pokemon” in their research papers, discussing how the Pokemon gene affected cell growth and cancer development. It seemed like another victory for the franchise’s scientific legacy. Then Nintendo’s lawyers got involved. The Pokemon Company sent a letter expressing concern that associating their family-friendly brand with cancer research could damage their image. The scientific community was asked to stop using the name. The gene was quietly renamed ZBTB7A (Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 7A)-far less memorable, but legally safe. The original “Pokemon” name still appears in older research papers, a reminder of what could have been. This remains the only known case of a Pokemon-inspired scientific name being forcibly changed. It demonstrates both the reach of the Pokemon brand and the limits of scientific naming freedom when corporate interests are involved.