A swamp creature that inhabited the bogs of Africa 19 million years ago has been named after Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.

the creature, dubbed Jaggermeryx naiad (Jagger's water nymph), shared a prominent feature with Mick:

"The animal probably had a highly innervated muzzle with mobile and tactile lips, thus the Jagger reference," said paleontologist Gregg Gunnell.

"It may have used its sensitive snout to forage along river banks, scooping up plants with its lower teeth and large lips," said study co-author Ellen Miller.

"Some of my colleagues suggested naming the new species after Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, because she also has famous lips. But for me it had to be Mick."

"I'm a huge Stones fan," she added.