List of references to Pokémon in science

==Proteins==
 is a protein discovered by Japanese researchers from the Osaka Bioscience Institute in 2008, which is essential in interactions between cells that carry electrical impulses from the eyes to the brain.Sato, S. et al. (2008). Pikachurin, a dystroglycan ligand, is essential for photoreceptor ribbon synapse formation. Nature Neuroscience, 11(8): 923–931. The name refers to the Pokémon and its "lightning-fast moves".(July 22, 2008). "Researchers: 'Pikachurin' protein linked with kinetic vision." The Daily Yomiuri (archived).
==Genes==
Pokemon was the temporary name of gene . The name officially stood for "POK erythroid myeloid ontogenic factor", likely as a reference in the form of a . It was eventually renamed due to The Pokémon Company's threats of legal action, who did not wish to be associated with the cancer-related gene.Pokemon USA threatens to sue cancer researchers | GameSpot
==Animals==
There are currently 16 species of real-world animals which are named after various , as well as two .
Species 	Species	Pokémon	Pokémon	Notes
phylloxyronAn early geikiid dicynodont from the Tropidostoma Assemblage Zone (late Permian) of South AfricaScientists Who Discovered Bulbasaurus Didn’t Name It After A PokémonTweet from @Synapsida (archived) 	 	 	 	"The genus Bulbasaurus (bulb lizard) refers to the bulbous nasal boss [...]" "[It's not named after the Pokémon] as published, no, but...if one wished to read between the lines concerning certain similarities, I wouldn't stop them."
Chilicola charizardA revision of Chilicola (Heteroediscelis), a subgenus of xeromelissine bees (Hymenoptera, Colletidae) endemic to Chile: taxonomy, phylogeny, and biogeography, with descriptions of eight new species 	 	 	 	"The specific epithet is in homage to the fictional monster which this species resembles."
Stentorceps weedleiRedescription of Stentorceps Quinlan, 1984 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), with a Description of Five New SpeciesStentorceps weedlei Nielsen & Buffington 	 	 	 	"Named in honour of the creature Weedle, a hymenopteran larva from the Pokémon video game series. Weedle shares the distinguishing character of S. weedlei, a spine in the middle of its head."
Dicranocentrus pikachuNew species and new records of Dicranocentrus Schött, 1893 (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Southeastern Brazil 	 	 	 	
Epicratinus pikachuTaxonomic review and cladistic analysis of Neotropical spider genus Epicratinus Jocqué & Baert, 2005 (Araneae: Zodariidae) with description of eleven new species 	 	 	 	"The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to Pikachu [...] The female epigynum resembles the face of Pikachu."
Alistra pikachuTwenty-three new spider species (Arachnida: Araneae) from Asia 	 	 	 	"The species is named after Pikachu, a fictional character from Pokémon Yellow, as the habitus color of this new species is yellow."
Hiperantha pikachuNotes on Stigmoderini (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from Brazil, with the description of a new species of Hiperantha Gistel, 1834, and new distributional records 	 	 	 	"The specific name is a homage to Pikachu, a fictional monster which this species resembles in its yellow elytra with a black apical band (like the ears of Pikachu)."
Pterodactylus scolopaciceps Meyer, 1860 (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) from the Upper Jurassic of Bavaria, Germany: The Problem of Cryptic Pterosaur Taxa in Early Ontogeny 	 	 	 	"The name derives from the Nintendo Pokémon Aerodactyl, a fantasy creature made up of a combination of different pterosaurian features."
Contribution to the knowledge of the endemic Australian genus Binburrum Pollock, 1995 (Coleoptera: Pyrochroidae: Pilipalpinae), with description of three new speciesThese three Australian beetles are hard to find. So two researchers named them after Pokémon.	 	 	 	"Pollock said it was Hsiao’s idea to name the beetles after the rare legendary bird Pokémon. In the original Red and Blue games – the “first generation” games, Hsiao’s favorite – in the U.S., there was only one of each type of bird available to the player. Naming the beetles after the one-of-kind birds was a nod of sorts to how rare the beetles are, Pollock said."
Binburrum zapdos 	 	 	 	"Pollock said it was Hsiao’s idea to name the beetles after the rare legendary bird Pokémon. In the original Red and Blue games – the “first generation” games, Hsiao’s favorite – in the U.S., there was only one of each type of bird available to the player. Naming the beetles after the one-of-kind birds was a nod of sorts to how rare the beetles are, Pollock said."
 	 	 	 	"Pollock said it was Hsiao’s idea to name the beetles after the rare legendary bird Pokémon. In the original Red and Blue games – the “first generation” games, Hsiao’s favorite – in the U.S., there was only one of each type of bird available to the player. Naming the beetles after the one-of-kind birds was a nod of sorts to how rare the beetles are, Pollock said."
Hedruris dratiniA new species of Hedruris (Nematoda: Hedruridae) from freshwater turtles, its life cycle and biogeographic distribution of the genusTweet from @JHelminthology 	 	 	 	"Do #Pokemon get parasites? Maybe? Well, there certainly are parasites named after Pokémons - like these two parasitic nematodes!"
Parapharyngodon politoediA new species of Parapharyngodon Chatterji, 1933 (Oxyuroidea: Pharyngodonidae), parasitic in Osteocephalus taurinus (Anura: Hylidae) from Brazil 	 	 	 	"The species epithet is derived from the fictional character named ‘Politoed’ a frog-type Pokémon from the Pokémon Universe."
Rathalos treecko 	 	 	 	"The species is named after Treecko, a fictional character from Pokémon Emerald that lives in the forest, as does the new species."
Anyphaena grovyle 	 	 	 	"The species is named after Grovyle, a fictional character from Pokémon Emerald that lives in the forest, as does the new species."
Anyphaena sceptile 	 	 	 	"The species is named after Sceptile, a fictional character from Pokémon Emerald that lives in the forest, as does the new species."
A new macropterous Nocticola Bolivar, 1892 (Blattodea: Nocticolidae) from SingaporeNew species of cockroach found in Singapore, named after Pokemon character. 	 	 	 	"Entomologist Foo Maosheng, who co-authored the finding, said: “There are some similarities between Pheromosa and the delicate cockroach that we found, such as having a long antenna, wings that mimic a hood and long slender legs.
“Both my collaborator and I are Pokemon fans, so we thought, why not name it after a Pokemon inspired by a cockroach.”"
Phrynarachne dreepyTaxonomic notes on the genus Phrynarachne from China (Araneae, Thomisidae) 	 	 	 	"The species is named after Dreepy, a fictional character from Pokémon Sword and Shield, who has a triangular head that is reminiscent of the opisthosoma of the new species."
==References==
Category:Pokémon meta
Category:Lists