Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 149, May 2017, pp. 31-47 | Page 6

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Etymology / Derivation of the Scientific Name
The scientific name Diaphorodoris: Diaphanous Doris. From Medieval Latin diaphanus,
from Greek diaphanēs, from dia „through‟ + phainein „to show‟. Doris in Greek mythology,
wife of Nereo, nymph of the waters and mother of Nereids.; and olakhalafi is Latin for
my wife the Diver and Underwater Photographer “Ola Khalaf” (born 1975).
This new Khorfakkan Nudibranch species was classified and named by the Palestinian-
German Zoologist Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa in May 2017, and the
specific name „olakhalafi‟ was named after his beloved wife “Ola Mostafa Esmail Mostafa
Khalaf” (born in Sidon, Lebanon in 1975).
My beloved wife is an active diver and PADI Dive Instructor and is a professional
underwater photographer. Diving is her main hobby and passion. She photographed
and published many of her underwater photos, and she is contributing to our
knowledge of the magnificent creatures living in our seas and oceans. The naming of
this new species is a special gift after 20 years of marriage.
Conclusion:
After examining the new white Dorid Nudibranch species living in the
Sea of Khorfakkan, and referring to many zoological references, and
searching the Internet, I came finally to a conclusion that we are in front
of a new Nudibranch species from the Gulf of Oman, Arab Sea, Indian
Ocean.
I gave it the scientific name Diaphorodoris olakhalafi, new species. The
species name “olakhalafi” is Latin for my wife “Ola Khalaf” (born in
1975).
Diaphorodoris olakhalafi, new species:
Scientific binomial name: Diaphorodoris olakhalafi Khalaf, 2017.
Authority: Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa.
Common Names: Khorfakkan White Dorid Nudibranch, Ola Khalaf’s
Nudibranch.
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 149 – May 2017