Voice your opinion regarding names

[Paul Claven]

I am very new to the whole thrill of keeping Tarantulas, and I would really appreciate a sensible, scientific answer to the dilemma I I have.

If I tread on 'Hallowed Ground' here, I do so in the hope of finding the truth...

I was following an innocuous thread on another forum yesterday, when it suddenly took off in a new direction, after a member challenged the Poster's usage of common names (and often nicknames) instead of Scientific names. This was pounced upon by members of the 'Pro' casual names party and a melee ensued. I doubt any malice was intended, but it did kill the thread off and it shows the strong difference in opinion in the hobby relating to names.

I know that Scientific names are the only real way to ID a species and to ensure clarity, but as a newbie, I find the practice of using an abbreviated first name in a thread (eg G. rosea) is as unhelpful as a casual name (eg Baboon, OBT, GBB).
For the first two weeks in the hobby I thought GBB was Great Big Bugger!

Is it not possible to use the full scientific name, when the species is first mentioned in a post, and then revert to the abbreviated system - or a casual name if that is your want - so that we are all exposed to the correct name instantly, instead of having to do a name search each time?

Shoot me down if you care to, but I would appreciate your comments.

[Phil Rea]

It's where breeding is concerned that species ID is important. Common names just cause confusion.

For example there's a thread on the T. store, started by our esteemed Mr. Gallon, (incidentally where I can also see a copy of your post ) regarding Singapore Blue Tarantulas and how some are now apparently being sold as "Cyriopagopus sp. Blau II". The general consensus seems to be that they're the same spider, but collected from different localities. The common name for both is Singapore Blue, and if they're the same spider then that's fine, and breeding "Blau" and "Blau II" is not a problem.

If however someone subsequently examines and redescribes one of these 'Blau II' spiders, and discovers a difference between them and the original Singapore Blues, then breeding them has created a hybrid which is bad news. It also compounds the situation that someone has decided to change the scientific name too, but as there is simply "sp." as the specific name (which essentially means that the species is undescribed), I guess thay can do what they like.

My understanding also is that many of the species that are in the pet trade at the moment are either

a) not the original species as described and they differ from the holotypes/paratypes, so that if you are sold a H. gigas (commonly called a Cameroon Red, or a Cameroon Red Baboon), it may or may not be as described originally, so it may be a completely different spider.

b) hybrids either deliberately or inadvertantly created by people breeding what they thought were the same species, but were in fact not. Probably because they shared the same common name.

c) known by different common or vernacular names in different countries.

So it is all just a hugely confusing can of worms.

At least with a properly identified spider with the correct binomial scientific name, you are at least certain that what you have got is what you wanted, and also that you are in fact trying to breed the same species!

There are many people who frequent the BTS board who are far better qualified than myself to give their opinions, and I'm sure that some of them will be along shortly

(Probably to shoot me down in flames )

[Paul Claven]

Hey one reply..!

Guess everyone's as confused as I am. No, make that was...

Thanks Phil!

[Ray Hale]

Hi

sorry if we seem a bit inactive at the moment. We are recovering from the exhibition and getting ready for a well earned holiday.

You make some valid points about common names. I remember when I first got into the hobby ( when I was lad ) it was all very confusing. Indeed it was made worse by a number of shops giving a name to a spider in order to command a higher price. "Green Olive Pad footed pink toed tree spider" Sounds so much better than " Avicularia" dont you think?
Still we soldiered on. I have no problem with common names but when talking to our counterparts in other countries we need to clarify what we are talking about. For instance we call Brachpelma emelia the red leg whilst some Americans call it the painted lady tarantula.

I think that we should never be afraid to ask the question because we think we will look stupid. We were all beginners once and we are all merely enthusistic amateurs. If you see a post that states "G.rosea" or "P.murinus" and you dont know what it means then by all means ask. No one will think anyless of you. If you get a sarcastic answer then shame on them for one day they will need advice and then revenge is sweet.

Ray Hale