( CNN ) -- It 's not just anyone who gets honored by having a bloodsucker named after him . Bob Marley , the late reggae star known for messages of peace and understanding as well as a song about shooting a sheriff , is the latest cultural icon to have a species names after him , according to a news release from the National Science Foundation . The Gnathia marleyi is tiny crustacean that attaches itself to fish that inhabit coral reefs in the Caribbean . Paul Sikkel , an assistant professor of marine ecology and a field marine biologist at Arkansas State University , discovered the creature and decided to honor the musician . Bob Marley 's music used to help famine victims in Africa . `` I named this species , which is truly a natural wonder , after Marley because of my respect and admiration for Marley 's music . Plus , this species is as uniquely Caribbean as was Marley , '' he said . Sikkel describes his research in the June 6 edition of Zootaxia , a journal for animal taxonomists ( folks who classify species ) . The Gnathia marleyi are sneaky little critters . They hide among coral rubble or algae and ambush unsuspecting fish , infesting them . The juveniles munch away , but adults apparently skip a meal or 21 . `` We believe that adults subsist for two to three weeks on the last feedings they had as juveniles and then die , hopefully after they have reproduced , '' Sikkel said . Sikkel 's team is studying the relationship between coral reef destruction and the parasites . The more degradation there is , the more launching pads for the bloodsuckers -- and the more fish are attacked . You may get a chance to see these Marley creatures yourself ; Sikkel and his team have sent some to the American Museum of Natural History in New York . They are discussing housing an exhibit there . Other famous folk who have had a species named in honor of them include President Obama ( a lichen ) , Comedian Stephen Colbert ( a bug ) and Elvis Presley ( a wasp ) . 'Legend ' : Remembering Bob Marley .
Professor discovers parasite and names it after the famed musician . Crustacean hides among reefs , feeds off fish that swim by . Museum in New York will house some and may open an exhibit , professor says .