Answer
“sp.” means an animal is being referred to within a genus without a formally assigned species name. “cf.” means the specimen resembles a named species but the identification is not being asserted as certain.
Example of sp.
A label such as Cyriocosmus sp. Means the genus is Cyriocosmus but the animal is not being presented under a confirmed species epithet.
Example of cf.
A label such as Xenesthis cf. Intermedia means the animal is being compared with X. Intermedia because it resembles it, while identification remains uncertain.
Why the qualifier matters
Dropping sp. Or cf. Makes an uncertain identification look definite. Keep the full label from the seller or source records until the animal is formally identified or the hobby designation changes.
Record keeping
- Keep the exact seller label
- Keep locality information if supplied
- Do not invent a species epithet
- Update records if the taxonomic status is later resolved