Tarantula pop names

[JimPP]

Okay, so, reading different threads in here, and im starting to think about the use of Pop Names, it seems to be very popular in the states? however it starts to bug me a little, seeing a Thread names "Giant White Knee" or "Brazillian Blond" and so on. I catch my self thinking what in the f is a Giant White Knee (turns out to be a A. geniculata... fair enough, but I can mention other big species that also has white knees so that pop name dont really help me alot).

So I start to think, what do people prefer? As I see it pop names should be banned by law, in denmark - were I am from, I have seen B. smithi described af Mexican Red Knee, Mexican Flame Knee, Fire legs, flame legs and even Fire Tarantula. The end result is people buying tarantulas that they dont know how to handle or even what species it is - wich makes the caresheet a little hard to figure out/find?

How do you feel about Pop Names?

[hairmetalspider]

You're kind of late on this one-

It's a rather popular topic in the forums and most members agree that scientific names are the far more appropriate terms of usage. Most of the threads your reading regarding 'common' names are by newbs or those unused to the scientific names.

But, they learn, and all is well.

[Sabatta]

I think they're fine. As you said, A Geniculata is also know as a giant white knee. You can't call a different species of T by the same common name just because it has white knees, just as you couldn't call it A Geniculata. It's common name is as exclusive to it as it's Latin name. Some are confusing, but it's just a question of getting to know which is which and discarding the misinformation.

[hairmetalspider]

It's common name is as exclusive to it as it's Latin name. Some are confusing, but it's just a question of getting to know which is which and discarding the misinformation.

That's actually completely untrue.
The reason people prefer the scientific names is because there are tons of 'common' names for various tarantulas, a lot of which are used for more than one, one called many, and some are just plain made up.

Their 'common' names are not at all exclusive.

[Sabatta]

and some are just plain made up.

That's what I meant by misinformation.

And I read somewhere on here that a common name for a T has to be officially recognized by the scientific community and can't just be given out without the proper legislation. At least I though I read it here. Or maybe I'm misinformed.

[JimPP]

You're kind of late on this one

I had the feeling that at some point in time this had been up for debate, and I made some searches too before posting - apperently I was'nt searching wiht the right criteria. My bad.

[hairmetalspider]

I had the feeling that at some point in time this had been up for debate, and I made some searches too before posting - apperently I was'nt searching wiht the right criteria. My bad.

You don't have to apologize, you don't ask, you don't know. At least this theory works sometimes.
But now you know ;-)

[Shagrath666]

i thought you meant pop culture names at first like Hanna Montana, and Brittny Spears. Then they would be even more pointless!

[Aurelia]

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=137534

[Scolopendra777]

YEP THERES lots of normal names hair metal spiders right latan names the only way to tell what tarantula it is .

[Mushroom Spore]

You can't call a different species of T by the same common name just because it has white knees, just as you couldn't call it A Geniculata. It's common name is as exclusive to it as it's Latin name.

ahahahahahahahahahahaha

No, if it were even REMOTELY that well organized, we wouldn't have a problem. But pet stores and dealers and newbie owners can and do call them whatever the heck they feel like, call half a dozen species "giant white knee," sell a G. rosea as a Chilean Flame Birdeater, and go on their merry way. There is no order, rhyme, or reason whatsoever.

[Suzjohnson]

Pop names are fine sometimes, scientific names are fine sometimes too.
If I'm asking a quick question here, typing GBB is way easier than typing out Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens. But then I'm making the assumption that those most likely to answer my question won't be puzzled by GBB. Scientific names avoid confusion, even though I'm still having to take the time to look them up, I'm more than willing to go through the exercise of doing it.

[7mary3]

See, you can't really use GBB as an example in this case, as that it happens to be one of the few exceptions to the rule. The GBB and the OBT, are perhaps the two 'common' type names that are not made up on the spot by dealers. They're very clearly and specifically directed towards one particular species, and are well recognized as such.

You are citing the exception, not the rule by using GBB.

[jb7741]

ahahahahahahahahahahaha
No, if it were even REMOTELY that well organized, we wouldn't have a problem. But pet stores and dealers and newbie owners can and do call them whatever the heck they feel like, call half a dozen species "giant white knee," sell a G. rosea as a Chilean Flame Birdeater, and go on their merry way. There is no order, rhyme, or reason whatsoever.

Pet stores are out for a profit. It sounds much cooler to have a Chilean Flame Birdeater, than a G. Rosea.

[Moltar]

Allow me to illustrate...

Please assign correct scientific names to the following.

Brazilian White Knee
Brazilian Black And White
Brazilian White Leg
Costa Rican Stripe Knee
Costa Rican Zebra
Thai Zebra
Costa Rican Tiger Rump
Thai Tiger
Earth Tiger

Maybe they're all different species, maybe some are the same. With the similarity of some of these names (which I just pulled out of my head more or less at random) illustrate the difficulty of this situation.