Metallica inspires the name of newly discovered deep-sea creature

The ‘Macrostylis metallicola’ has gotten the band’s stamp of approval.

Researchers who have discovered a new species of deep-sea crustacean have named the creature after the iconic group – Macrostylis metallicola.

Dr. Torben Riehl and Dr. Bart De Smet discovered the worm-like creature and decided to pay tribute to Metallica in naming the creature after the band, while also referencing polymetallic nodules that feature in the creatures’ habitat.

For those interested, this intriguing deep-sea being inhabits the Clarion Clipperton Zone which is a submarine region between Hawaii and Mexico. The Macrostylis metallicola lives amongst these metallic nodules that contain cobalt, copper and rare-earth elements.

As Metallica themselves have noted, the creature basically lives in a rock stadium (ha) – so the name is very appropriate.

“The worm-like creature dwells in complete darkness, has no eyes, and is colourless!” Metallica posted on Instagram. “Talk about blackened!”

“It also lives amongst metallic nodules containing cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel and rare-earth elements. So it basically lives in a rock stadium? That’s one metal crustacean!”

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.

Subscribe to Rolling Stone magazine

Subscribe to Rolling Stone magazine