With his snaggle-toothed appearance and a face only his mother could love, the newly discovered bat may not seem an obvious purveyor of festive cheer. Yet for anyone running low on Christmas gift ideas, he could be just the ticket.

Researchers at Purdue University in Indiana are auctioning the scientific naming rights to the species after its discovery in a Central American forest.

The highest bidder will win the right to have the exotic bat officially named after them or a loved one, securing them a place in ecological history. Bidding is expected to start at about $250,000 (£167,000).

“It beats giving socks,” said John Bickham, a professor of forestry and natural resources at Purdue, who discovered the bat. “This provides a terrific opportunity to recognise someone who loves science and wants to be more involved in the discovery of a species in the vast world around us – plus it’s for ever, so your name is immortalised in the international scientific community. It’s a unique gift.”

The bat tips the scales at 3g – barely the equivalent of a teaspoon of water – has lush, golden fur, eats insects and has a different DNA sequence to other known bat species.

It is native to Panama, Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua, though only in very localised habitats, some of which are thought to be endangered.

The precise location of its habitat has not been divulged but the successful bidder will be invited to accompany Dr Bickham on an expedition to the area.

Proceeds from the auction – which will be repeated at a later date for six other species of bats and two types of Amazonian turtles – will fund environmental research and education at Purdue and in the country of the animals’ origin.

The naming process is strictly governed by rules laid down by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, which was founded in 1895 to regulate the system by which every animal is given a unique and universally accepted scientific name.

The new bat’s name must begin with its genus, Rhogeessa, followed by a Latinised version of its sponsor’s name. If a John Smith clinches the winning bid, for example, the bat would become Rhogeessa johnsmithi – unless he chooses to bestow the honour on a friend or relative. Only genuine names are acceptable; frivolous suggestions such as Dracula, Bruce Wayne or Batman are strictly out.

“We want this to be a serious thing. Anyone willing to put up this kind of money would probably not do so just to be flippant,” said Dr Bickham. “In science, we name species after someone who we wish to honour. We want to find someone who’s passionate about the environment and issues of biodiversity. This is about doing something meaningful.”

The Wildlife Conservation Society raised $650,000 (£436,000) in 2005 with an online auction granting bidders the chance to name a species of Bolivian monkey.

However, the rules were bent as recently as July this year, when Jason Bond, a biologist at East Carolina University, named a new-found species of spider Myrmekiaiaphila neilyoungi, in honour of the veteran rock musician.

Name game

— You can “buy” a star with your name on it, although only the International Astronomical Union can officially name celestial objects

— Planet number 6433 was named after the Irish musician Enya in 1997

— A new species of lemur was named after John Cleese in 2005

— The Rhinodoras gallagheri, a catfish, was named after Frank Gallagher, a mailman for 37 years at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia

Sources: www.space.com ; www.sciencecentric.com ; www.cfa.harvard.edu

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