Can anyone help I’d this sheatfish species
- Thread starter Jd72
- Start date
Looks like Kryptopterus spp., possibly cryptopterus but I personally am not familiar enough with the genus to be able to say more.
Wow...is that actually the scientific name of a species? Kryptopterus cryptopterus? 
Pffft...scientists...
Pffft...scientists...
Actually thats a good example for applied science.Wow...is that actually the scientific name of a species? Kryptopterus cryptopterus?
Pffft...scientists...
Bleeker described a lot of catfish in the 1850s. When he described the species cryptopterus (referring to its dorsal fin, described as a “short slender thread”) he put into the genus Silurus = Silurus cryptopterus, 1851.
A few years later he got another specimen of unknown catfish, not recognizing that it also belongs to S. cryptopterus. He described it as micropus. And he already knew a that point that Silurus as genus does not fit. So he created the new genus Kryptopterus for micropus = Kryptopterus micropus, 1857.
Much later in 1989 Roberts declared micropus as synonym of cryptopterus. And from there we have the name Kryptopterus cryptopterus.
Mmmm....okay...if you say so. It's always interesting to read about the logic that is exercised to justify all these name changes, and it's hard to see sometimes how science is involved at all. I was specifically referring to the difference in spelling between the generic and specific names. I wonder if the Boas that I used to keep...which were Constrictor constrictor...are now being called Konstrictor constrictor?
Or when and why science was "applied" to change Rams from Microgeophagus to Mikrogeophagus? Sure, they started out as Apistogramma, but research...done by researchers who really, really wanted to be relevant...switched them to Microgeophagus. Okay, fine...why did we then have spelling wars? I recall reading an article back in the day when the "C" became a "K"...some of those guys made it sound as though this was an absolute necessity, arguing for the K over the C as though they were disproving the Theory of Relativity.
Sounds less like applied science...and more like misapplied scientists...
John, i imagine you must have been a speech and debate champion as a kid. Or one of those Toastmasters guys who always amazed me when they’d take any topic, walk on stage, and deliver a passionate and thoughtful message on the spot. They even fielded questions afterwards, lol. But you do bring up a good point, what’s with the K?
Lol, my mother always accused me of arguing about everything with everybody. I always replied that I wasn't arguing, I was merely debating. She said "No you're not!" I, of course, said "Yes, I am!" I could usually string her along for a couple of back-and-forths before she realized what was happening.
My father enjoyed the show immensely; I could tell by the angle of his cigar.
And as a matter of fact, we did have a Debate Club in high school and I was a member. I just think that everyone is entitled to my own opinion.
My father enjoyed the show immensely; I could tell by the angle of his cigar.
And as a matter of fact, we did have a Debate Club in high school and I was a member. I just think that everyone is entitled to my own opinion.
Indeed, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Too bad a good healthy debate is a dying art nowadays