Clarence J. Goodnight

Clarence James Goodnight (May 30, 1914 – August 9, 1987) was an American zoologist who made contributions to the study of freshwater annelids and harvestmen (Opiliones). He was professor at Brooklyn College, Purdue University, and Western Michigan University. Goodnight was born in Gillespie, Illinois. He earned an associate degree at Blackburn College, then earned his bachelor's, master's, and PhD at the University of Illinois. He produced over 150 publications, including three textbooks. He served as president of the American Microscopical Society, secretary of the American Society of Zoologists, and secretary of the North American Benthological Society. In 1940 he married Marie Louise Ostendorf (1916–1998), with whom he co-authored many publications and described over 300 species, including more than 120 species of Mexican harvestmen.

11 species are named in his honor: Cambarincola goodnighti Holt, 1973 Crosbycus goodnighti Roewer, 1951 Cryptocellus goodnighti Platnick & Shadab, 1981 Cynorta goodnighti Beutelspacher, 1988 Ethobunus goodnighti (Rambla, 1969) Geaya goodnighti Roewer, 1953 Gnomulus goodnighti (Suzuki, 1977) Jubus goodnighti O.Park, 1952 Metagonia goodnighti Gertsch, 1977 Mexobisium goodnighti Muchmore, 1973 Phrurolithus goodnighti Muma, 1945

Books (with M. L. Goodnight) (with M. L. Goodnight and R. R. Armacost) (with M. L. Goodnight and P. Gray)