A newly-discovered ant is the first animal species to be given a scientific name ending with they , in a tribute to non-binary people.
The miniature trap jaw ant from the evergreen tropical forests of Ecuador has been given the unconventional Latin name Strumigenys ayersthey.
The they suffix at the end of the ant s name is in recognition of all non-binary people and a celebration of gender diversity, its discoverers say. Non-binary is a term used to describe people who do not identify as either masculine or feminine.
Non-binary people, including the British pop star Sam Smith, therefore like to be referred to as they and them – rather than he and him , or she and her .