Minimalist poet, minimalist lifestyle

South African scientists have discovered a new genus and species of an attractively patterned electric ray off the east coast of South Africa and they have named it after a vacuum cleaner company.

The new electric ray, named Electrolux addisoni, is described in the latest issue of the journal Smithiana Bulletin by Leonard Compagno and Phillip Heemstra.

Electrolux addisoni is easily distinguished from other electric rays of the family Narkidae by its striking colour pattern consisting of a dark brown dorsal surface of the disc with numerous small pale yellow spots and a series of concentric black stripes.

Other distinguishing characters of the new genus include its prominent spiracular papillae, the unique morphologies of the nostrils, nasal curtain, mouth, jaws, chondrocranium, basibranchial skeleton, pectoral and pelvic girdles, and the presence of two dorsal fins.

Electrolux?
The genus name raises eyebrows, and its origin is best explained in the authors' own words:

"The name alludes to the well-developed electrogenic properties of this ray (collectors and photographers have experienced the shocking personality of this bold, active and brightly patterned electric ray first-hand), the discovery of which sheds light (Latin, lux) on the rich and poorly-known fish diversity of the Western Indian Ocean.

And the vigorous sucking action displayed on the videotape of the feeding ray that was taken by Stephania and Peer Lamberti may rival a well-known electrical device used to suck the detritus from carpets, furniture, and other dust-gathering surfaces in modern homes...".

The species is named after Mark Addison, who collected the holotype.

Electrolux addisoni is endemic to the east coast of South Africa, and was first identified to the authors in 1984 by photographing divers.

It was subsequently sighted, photographed and even videographed by divers, but it was not until 2003 that the authors were finally able to obtain specimens for study.

Electrolux addisoni is also apparently the largest member of the Narkidae, reaching up to 515 mm total length.

"The rubber bands ... sometimes they'll break. That hurts," said Steve Milton, whose 4,594-pound rubber band ball was certified Tuesday as the world's largest by Guinness World Records officials. "As long as you wear your safety goggles, you're good."

Milton, 26, of Eugene, Ore., watched as four bodybuilders rolled the multicolored, rubbery mass — 5 1/2 feet high and 19 feet around — onto a giant scale in downtown Chicago for the official weigh-in.

He raised his arms over his head in Rockyesque style when Guinness judge Sarah Wagner announced his ball had bounced the previous 3,120-pound record-holder from the books. That record was set by John Bain of Wilmington, Del., in 2003.

"It's just amazing; it's out of this world," said Milton, who began building the ball in November 2005.

Bain didn't begrudge Milton the honor.

"Steve can have the record ... he worked hard for it," Bain said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "I had my glory days with the rubber band ball."

Milton worked on the ball with his 6-year-old son, Bryce, and soon-to-be stepson, Austin Johnson, 7. "We did a little bit of research on how big rubber band balls are, and realized there was one out there that was 3,120 pounds and we knew we could do it."

His fiancee thought it was a bit nuts, but it was fun for the family.

Milton credited their success to a simple credo: add to the ball every day, even if it was for just a few minutes, and remember to move it to the garage while it still fits through the door.

"My advice is to basically not overwhelm yourself with it," Milton said. "A lot of people who try to break this record, they overwhelm themselves by trying to do too much."

Wagner, the Guinness judge, is based in London, but she flies around the globe certifying unusual records. Her previous assignment: the world's longest line of pizza in Italy.

Blundering contractors have been ordered to repaint wonky road markings that they painted in the dark.

The wobbly markings on the A337 Lyndhurst to Cadnam road in New Forest, Hampshire, have caused some amusement to motorists since they appeared last week.

The workers have been ordered to do the work again after the first job was done at night, using only a small mobile light to see, reports The Sun.

Chairman of nearby Lyndhurst Parish Council George Bisson said it was no wonder the lines were wonky.

"Presumably they were doing it then to prevent traffic disruption but perhaps it was counter-productive."

A spokeswoman for Hampshire County Council said: "The lining work carried out by contractors working on behalf of Hampshire County Council is unacceptable.

"We've refused the work on quality and we're now awaiting the contractors to carry out the repaint work until we are satisfied.

"It is within the terms of the contract for the contractor to put any works that do not meet specification right, so any poor workmanship will cost them and not the county council."