Definition of "spp."?
Glen Lee
I'd appreciate it if someone could give me the full text represented
by the acronym / contraction "spp." as in this quote from an article:
"The same can be said of bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), another denizen of
northern pond margins."
Thank you, Glen
Delete 'neverspam' for email address.
jmcl...@gte.net
>I'd appreciate it if someone could give me the full text represented
>by the acronym / contraction "spp." as in this quote from an article:
>
>"The same can be said of bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), another denizen of
>northern pond margins."
Glen:
it means "species".
Jack
"Chance Favors the Prepared Mind"
Bill Morgan
Lee) wrote:
> Hi everyone.
>
> I'd appreciate it if someone could give me the full text represented
> by the acronym / contraction "spp." as in this quote from an article:
>
> "The same can be said of bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), another denizen of
> northern pond margins."
>
It means species (plural) either not known or not individually treated.
Often used when the appearance, care, habitat, etc. is similar for all or
most members of a particular genus. Also used when a mix of species is
being used.
The similar "sp." means species (singular) unknown.
Both sometimes mean "I couldn't remember the species, and couldn't (or
didn't bother to) look it up."
Regards,
Bill
--
Center for Room Temperature Confusion
Don & Jeanne Chapman
but unidentified, specific types of that family involved.
If it just said "sp.", then it would indicate a single unidentifed type of
the general family.
I've noted that "spp" and "sp" are often misused.
Don Chapman <d...@bio-organics.com>
Chappy's Power Organics
3200 Corte Malpaso, #107
Camarillo CA 93012
Info & Orders <http://www.bio-organics.com>
Glen Lee <glenleen...@ibm.net> wrote in article
<3747602a...@news1.ibm.net>...
> Hi everyone.
>
> I'd appreciate it if someone could give me the full text represented
> by the acronym / contraction "spp." as in this quote from an article:
>
> "The same can be said of bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), another denizen of
> northern pond margins."
>
Bill Morgan
<cha...@gowebway.com> wrote:
> Technically, it stands for "species" - indicating that there are multiple,
> but unidentified, specific types of that family involved.
>
> If it just said "sp.", then it would indicate a single unidentifed type of
> the general family.
All correct except substitute the word "genus" where you have "family".
>
> I've noted that "spp" and "sp" are often misused.
>
As in "I didn't want to bother looking it up." Or "This is an inferior
species for what you want to do in your garden, but I'm more than willing
to sell it to you--hey, it's what we have in stock."
IrisCohen
<< "The same can be said of bulrushes (Scirpus spp.) >>
they mean various species of the genus Scirpus.
Iris, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"That lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne…"
Hippocrates quoted by Chaucer
Guy Bradley
>
> Hi everyone.
>
> I'd appreciate it if someone could give me the full text represented
> by the acronym / contraction "spp." as in this quote from an article:
>
> "The same can be said of bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), another denizen of
> northern pond margins."
The abbreviation spp referes to "species" and has the implication of
covering all species in the particular genus, Scirpus in this case.
Genus names are always capitalized and species names are never
capitalized. What the phrase is saying is that all Scirpus species
respond the same way.
Guy Bradley
St. Louis MO
zone 6
Glen Lee
wrote:
>Hi everyone.
>
>I'd appreciate it if someone could give me the full text represented
>by the acronym / contraction "spp." as in this quote from an article:
>
My thanks to everyone who replied to my question..
Glen, Canadian prairies