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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Gabrielle Canon

‘Why? Is there a resemblance?’ Tarantula-killing worm named for actor Jeff Daniels

Actor Jeff Daniels and a large Tarantula spider
Actor Jeff Daniels has been given the honour of having his name linked to a tarantula-killing worm. Composite: NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images/Reuters

It was a career honor Jeff Daniels probably didn’t think he was going to be bestowed with. The famed actor, musician and producer on Wednesday etched his way into history by inspiring the name of a very special newly discovered species of worm.

The parasite – now dubbed Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi – kills tarantulas, just like Daniels did in the 1990 cult classic Arachnophobia. (Note: for all those concerned – unlike his newly discovered namesake – Daniels did not actually kill any spiders. Allegedly no arachnids were harmed on set.)

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