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Re: what's a SJO?
KI><< By the way, Wright was talking about founding a movement to stamp out
KI> TLA's--must be something in the water on the "left coast" that makes
KI> people turn radical (grin). >>
KI>Being a former left coaster, I'm with Wright. Scientific names have a
KI>purpose, not the least of which is that they are recognized internationally.
KI>Why do we killie folks have to speak in code?
Hi Bob--
Well, I can think of a couple of reasons, neither of them good. First is
that it saves time--much faster to say (or type) SJO than Fundulopanchax
sjoestedti. Second, it kind of serves as a "secret handshake" that
separates the initiated from the uninitiated.
I agree with both of you. I try to use the full scientific name (and
location) when possible, especially on the general list. I slip back
into the shorthand when talking privately with people (either e-mail or
other) that I am reasonably certain are "on the same page."
Of course, you should see the looks I get at the local pet stores when I
rattle off a couple of scientific names in rapid succession (for that
matter, I get the same sorts of looks when I breeze into the local
garden center and ask for Cornus florida). Half the time the poor clerks
have no idea what I'm talking about, since they barely recognize the
fish using common names, and the other half they're totally intimidated
(hey, we've got a walking dictionary here).
Just my thoughts.
Catherine
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