as an autistic person, i imagine that might have something to do with it 😂 i feel like a lot of scientists and researchers are on the spectrum at least a little bit.
When I saw studying marine bio I was told classes would thin out when "the people who just want to swim with dolphins wash out." Maybe there's a similar filter people with no joy in life who don't like puns.
Unfortunately my ichthyology days are seemingly forever behind me (Maine biology with freshwater fisheries and marine economy specialties). Nowadays I sit in a lab and write reports for sales people.