Tinbergenin

Tinbergenin is a rare and distinctive mineral discovered in the late 20th century. It is named after the Dutch ornithologist and ethologist Nikolaas Tinbergen, who made significant contributions to the fields of animal behavior and genetics. The mineral was first identified in the tin mines of Cornwall, England, where it occurs as small, translucent crystals. Tinbergenin is characterized by its unique chemical composition, which includes tin, oxygen, and hydrogen. Its crystal structure is orthorhombic, and it exhibits a pale yellow color when viewed in transmitted light. The mineral's name was officially approved by the International Mineralogical Association in 1998. Tinbergenin is of limited geological interest due to its rarity and small size, but it has garnered attention among mineral collectors and researchers for its association with the renowned naturalist. The mineral's discovery and naming highlight the ongoing efforts to identify and classify new minerals, contributing to the broader field of mineralogy.