Remember when scientists named a slug after Khaleesi from Game of Thrones back in December? Welp, looks like researchers are again looking to Hollywood after discovering a new species of swamp creature in Egypt. Because of the ancient beast’s big lips, they’ve chosen to name it honor of — you guessed it — Sir Mick Jagger. How’s that for a legacy?
Jaggermeryx naida translates to “Jagger’s water nymph,” and it lived around 19 million years ago in Africa.
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The fossil’s jaw, Wake Forest University paleoanthroplogist Ellen Miller said in a statement, had eight holes on either side. These probably held nerves, giving the creature a sensitive lip that it would use to forage for food. In other words, it had big, flappy lips that it used to snuffle all over the riverbank.
The Jaggermeryx naida was probably about the size of a modern deer. According to Miller and colleagues, it was something like a cross between a skinny hippo and a leggy pig.
If “big lips” instantly made you think of Angelina Jolie, you’re not alone. Miller’s colleagues said she was a definite runner-up. Maybe next time, Angie.