A biological species in the Caribbean has been named after BOB MARLEY.

Gnathia marleyi is a small parasitic crustacean blood feeder that infests fish in coral reefs.

It was named after the late reggae legend by Paul Sikkel, a marine biologist at Arkansas State University, reports The Guardian.

He said:

"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 Marley."

Gnathiids are the most common external parasites found on coral reefs. They are ecologically similar to land-based, blood-sucking ticks or disease-carrying mosquitoes, the biologist added.

Marley joins President Obama who has a lichen named after him and Elvis who has a wasp bearing his name.

Earlier this year, researchers in Northern Australia also renamed a rare breed of horse fly after Beyonce. The fly, which is known as Scaptia (Plinthina) Beyonceae, was first collected in 1981.

Meanwhile, Marley's former band The Wailers recently supported The Stone Roses during their recent Heaton Park shows, performing a series of his famous hits including 'No Woman, No Cry' and 'Three Little Birds'.