Scientist Names New Species of Fujairah Fish in Honor of Father

A new subspecies of the fish—Mozambique Tilapia of the genus Oreochromis (Pisces: Cichlidae)—has been discovered in the Wadi Al Wurayah pools of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates by zoologist, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa.

The new species Oreochromis mossambicus bassamkhalafi has been named in honour of Dr Khalaf’s father ‘Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf’ (Abu Ali) who was born in Jaffa, Palestine, on 10 March 1938, and who died in Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Germany on 17 February 2006.

Dr Khalaf explained the thought behind the tribute:

“My father was a saltwater and freshwater fish lover all his life. He always kept aquarium fish in our home, and his great hobby was deep sea fishing. I learned a lot from him, including my first animal knowledge and the need to live with love and respect for all the animals we share our planet with.”

What a fitting tribute to a man who passed on his love for nature to others in his family.

Read the Story of this Discovery:
Second Fish Sub-Species Discovered in Two Months in Fujairah UAE, Experiencing the Emirates, 1 November 2009.

Dr Geoff Pound

Geoff can be contacted by email at geoffpound(at)gmail.com on Facebook and Twitter.

Images:
The new species Oreochromis mossambicus bassamkhalafi.

Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf. “I learned a lot from him, including my first animal knowledge and the need to live with love and respect for all the animals we share our planet with.”