Victor Gruschka Springer (June 2, 1928 – September 18, 2022) was an American biologist who was a Senior Scientist emeritus, Division of Fishes at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.[1] He was a specialist in the anatomy, classification, and distribution of fishes, with a special interest in tropical marine shorefishes. He published numerous scientific studies on these subjects; also, a popular book called "Sharks in Question, the Smithsonian Answer Book" 1989.[2]

Victor Gruschka Springer
Born(1928-06-02)June 2, 1928
DiedSeptember 18, 2022(2022-09-18) (aged 94)
Alma materUniversity of Texas
Scientific career
FieldsIchthyology
Author abbrev. (zoology)Springer

Education edit

Springer gained his first degree, B.A. in Biology at Emory University in 1948. His M.S. in Botany at the University of Miami in 1954 was followed by his Ph.D in Zoology at the University of Texas in 1957.[3]

Research interests edit

Springer's research interests included the classification, evolution, and biogeography of fishes, especially marine fishes and notably Blennioid fishes. He was also interested in late 19th and 20th Century scientific illustrators of fishes such as Charles Bradford Hudson[1][3]

Death edit

Springer died on September 18, 2022, at the age of 94.[4]

Selected publications edit

  • Springer, Victor G.; Gomon, Martin F. (1975). Revision of the Blenniid Fish Genus Omobranchus with Descriptions of Three New Species and Notes on Other Species of the Tribe Omobranchini. Smithsonian Institution Press.

Taxon described by him edit

Taxon named in his honor edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Victor G. Springer, Senior Scientist Emeritus". 21 October 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  2. ^ Springer, Victor G.; Gold, Joy P. (April 17, 1989). Sharks in Question. Smithsonian. ISBN 978-0-87474-877-2.
  3. ^ a b "Vic Springer, Division of Fishes, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, NMNH". Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  4. ^ "Dr. Victor Gruschka Springer (2 Jun 1928 – 18 Sep 2022)". ASIH. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  5. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order CYPRINIFORMES: Families ACHEILOGNATHIDAE, GOBIONIDAE and TANICHTHYIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  6. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order SYNGNATHIFORMES: Families DACTYLOPTERIDAE, PEGASIDAE, CALLIONYMIDAE, DRACONETTIDAE and MULLIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  7. ^ Christopher Scharpf & Kenneth J. Lazara (22 September 2018). "Order GOBIIFORMES: Family GOBIIDAE (d-h)". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 12 March 2023.