What does "sp." mean?

Hi "Limnophile",

Example: Firemouths are included in Thorichthys sp. ,
and their full Latin name is Thorichthys meeki .

So is 'Thorichthys sp. Firemouth' the same as 'Thorichthys meeki'? Or
are Firemouths a subset of meeki?

Thanks,

Ninereeds

"Ninereeds" wrote in message
om...
Hi "Limnophile",

Example: Firemouths are included in Thorichthys sp. ,
and their full Latin name is Thorichthys meeki .

So is 'Thorichthys sp. Firemouth' the same as 'Thorichthys meeki'? Or
are Firemouths a subset of meeki?

Thanks,

Ninereeds

The fish commonly called Firemouths have the species name Thorichthys meeki.
They are different names for the same fish.

meeki is a subset of Thorichthys. When a common name is mentioned in a
scientific article, it's customary to put the common name in quotation
marks, like "Firemouth"

Written as Thorichthys sp. "Firemouth" , it's the same as Thorichthys meeki
, practically speaking. Scientists might nit - pick and insist on the
latter, which is the more proper Latin name. Most experienced pet store
people or hobbyists will know what you mean if you use either.

It can be written as T. meeki after you mention the full Latin name, so you
don't have to type out the whole thing over and over.

Glad to help;
Limnophile