India, Sept. 21 -- Scientific names are designed to make it easier for researchers around the world to identify the same species. Most are short enough to remember, such as Homo sapiens for humans or Panthera tigris for tigers.

But one recently described organism has a scientific name so long that it stretches to 181 letters.

Even more unusual, the organism was found in Germany, while its extraordinary name was inspired by the ceremonial name of Bangkok, Thailand. The species is an oomycete belonging to the genus Bremia, and its name became the longest known scientific binomial for a living or fossil organism.

What are Binomial Names?

A binomial name is the scientific name given to a species using two parts. This naming system is know...