Phialella zappai is a species of cnidarian named for musician Frank Zappa. It was named by Ferdinando "Nando" Boero, a jellyfish expert from Genova, Italy who wrote to Zappa hoping to meet the musician whom he admired. Zappa replied saying "there is nothing I would like better than having a jellyfish with my name" leading to a meeting, and eventually a friendly acquaintance, between the biologist and the musician.