Sun Yat-sen University Names New Fish Species 'Lentipes ptasan' to Honor Indigenous Tattoo Culture
Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University discovered a new fish species, 'Lentipes ptasan,' naming it after the Truku word for 'tattoo' to honor indigenous culture.
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- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 13:13
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A research team at National Sun Yat-sen University announced the discovery of a new fish species, 'Lentipes ptasan.' Because the male fish has two dark lines on its face resembling traditional Taiwanese indigenous facial tattoos, the team named it using the Truku word 'ptasan.' Professor Liao Te-yu and doctoral student Chuang Wei-cheng identified the species after collecting specimens in Mindanao, Philippines, in 2019. The fish is distributed from northern Taiwan to the Philippines. This naming is a representative case of combining taxonomy with cultural significance.
FAQ
What is the facial tattoo culture?
It is a traditional practice among Taiwanese indigenous peoples, where tattoos are applied to the face as a mark of adulthood or achievement.