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Quick question

What is the difference between a name classified as cf and sp. I have been looking at the classification of cory C Numbers and some are classified as cf and some sp.

thanks

The usage of cf. usually means that the species identity is in some doubt. For instance, when I use <i>Corydoras</i> cf. <i>aeneus</i>, this means that I am not 100% sure that the species is <i>C. aeneus</i>, but it strongly resembles <i>C. aeneus</i>.
When I am 100% sure that the species is not <i>C. aeneus</i>, but the resemblance to <i>C. aeneus</i> is still very close, then it is usually referred to as <i>C.</i> aff. <i>aeneus</i>.
The usage of sp. usually refers to the identity of the species being unknown, but there are no known species to which it resembles (otherwise, aff. is used). In many cases, the species may be undescribed.

Heok Hee

Hi!

Regarding the C numbers, this was establish by DATZ magazine, the one already responsible for the L-number...
Every unknown, undescribed or which statut is not clearly define is given a C number ( the C stands for Callichthyidae) by the magazine at either the time they print the pics in the mag or at least received it from the explorer or importator.

Cheers

Yann

Silurus wrote:The usage of cf. usually means that the species identity is in some doubt. For instance, when I use <i>Corydoras</i> cf. <i>aeneus</i>, this means that I am not 100% sure that the species is <i>C. aeneus</i>, but it strongly resembles <i>C. aeneus</i>.
When I am 100% sure that the species is not <i>C. aeneus</i>, but the resemblance to <i>C. aeneus</i> is still very close, then it is usually referred to as <i>C.</i> aff. <i>aeneus</i>.
The usage of sp. usually refers to the identity of the species being unknown, but there are no known species to which it resembles (otherwise, aff. is used). In many cases, the species may be undescribed.

Heok Hee

Hi Heok Hee,

This is great. have always wondered about all those abbrv.! are there any more? think I've seen ssp before? In a japanese website?

cheers
philtre

Ssp. would be subspecies. Very few ichthyologists use rankings below the secies level.
The only other abbreviation not mentioned is spp., which is just the abbreviation for species in plural (species is spelled the same for both singular and plural).

Heok Hee

thanks!

HH,

sorry to dig up an old thread ... but I've got one more question.

what does it mean when one sp is stated as synonym to another?

according to m-w.com, it also means:
a taxonomic name rejected as being incorrectly applied or incorrect in form

so is that to say that one sp looks similar to the other but at one point of time was "given" the wrong name/ wrong name was used?

thanks!


cheers
phil

When two names are said to be synonyms, it usually means that species A and species B were described as seprate species, but someone else later decides that species A and species B actually refer to the same thing. the two species are then considered synonyms, and the older name (let's say species A) is used. Species B is then said to be a junior synonym of species A.

Hi Silurus!

thanks very much again!

cheers
phil