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RE: Sci-names
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by BGF on August 10, 2003
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Scientific names should be logically arranged so that you can figure it out from the roots, ie. Cephalopod = cephal (head) + pod (foot) = the octopi, etc. However, most names aren't so nicely arranged so its more a case of just having to memorise the bloody things.
Cheers
BGF
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RE: Sci-names
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Anonymous post on August 12, 2003
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it takes a while to learn a lot of them, but i reckon it gets easier, the more you learn.
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RE: Sci-names
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by Chris_Harper on August 13, 2003
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Check out our rattlesnake index (button to the left). That's a good start. You'll also notice that most scientific types always write the common name and sci. names together. Over time you'll just learn them.
~CH
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RE: Sci-names
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by Naja_oxiana on August 14, 2003
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Well, unless you speak pretty fluent latin, a lot of the names won't make a bit of sense, as most of the scientific names are latin. In some cases, say "Naja", the name may simply bea latin spelling of the local name. Again take "Naja" which is the local dialect for "snake" in certain languages. If I recall, "Naya" is an arabic word which is conveniently used for the Arab Peninsula sub-species of the Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje).
Our modern system of taxonomy was founded by a Suisse named Lineaus. As he was from the Germanic part of Europe he pronounced "J" as a "Y" so as "ja" is pronounced "ya". Conveniently, Latin has this same little quirk. So we have "Naja", "Pseudohaje", etc...But D. jamesonii is named after a particular herpetologist and as a result, the "J" is given it's proper pronunciation.
I have been told by a reputable source that "Echis" is greek for "snake". So as you can see, some languages do make it into the scientific realm. You might also notice that in adition to "Naja" you have "Pseudonaja", Paranaja", "Pseudechis", and "Bothriechis". None of these are particularly closely related. "Naja" are the true cobras that occur throughout Africa and Asia whereas "Pseudonaja" occurs in Australia and "Paranaja"--known only from one or two specimens ever collected--is a small burrowing "cobra" native to western(?) Africa.
"Cobra" is a name which used to be a recognized genus which included "Naja", "Ophiophagus", assorted snakes which now fall under "Bitis" and some others which escape my mind at the moment. (I must confess that I have been out of the hot herper mindset as of late.) But what, after all, is a "cobra" but a now proteroglyphous snake which can elevate the forward portion of its body and do something to make itself appear larger than it actually is.
Coincidentally, "Ophiophagus" means "snake eating" or "cannabalistic" which aptly describes Ophiophagus hannah, the King Cobra. O. hannah is not, however, the only ophiophagus snake out there.
Hope this helps. It's good to be back here again.
Cheers
Roger
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RE: Sci-names
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by JTEDENS on August 19, 2003
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What other Ophiophagus species are there? I ask because I've never seen one and read something recently that said O. hannah is the only species in the genus. I think this may have been in Reptiles Mag. I think it also said Hemachatus hemachatus(forgive spelling) is the only species in that genus. if this isn't correct please list some species in either genus. Are there any photos on this site or others of these other species?
Regards, John
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RE: Sci-names
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by Naja_oxiana on August 19, 2003
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I think I should point out the difference between "Ophiophagus" and "ophiophagus". The former reffers to the monotypic genus O. hannah, the King Cobra whereas the later reffers to all cannabalistic snakes, ie the kingsnake and any number of elapids etc...
O. hannah is the only snake in the genus at present, however there will be work done to clear this up in the future. Anyone who has ever seen an Indian O. hannah and an Indonesian O. hannah can see quite a glaring difference between the two. Without wanting to put words into BGF's mouth, I seem to recall him saying that there might actually be six or so species within Ophiophagus.
And Hemachatus is also a monotypic genus, interestingly one of two instances outside of Naja where spitting has become involved. (The other being a Viper species which escapes me at the moment.)
Cheers,
Roger
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