In zoology, "cf." (latin confer, compare) is used to indicate that the
specimen (or specimens) in question needs to be compared with good
reference material (ideally the holotype or other types) of the species
cited. For instance, in "Boonea cf. impressa",  "cf." is there to convey
the idea that "there is a good chance that the specimen I examined belongs
to Boonea impressa, but more research needs to be done before the issue is
settled". This should be the correct usage of the abbreviation.
__________________________________________________________________________
Jose H. Leal, Ph.D.
Director, The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
Editor-in-chief, THE NAUTILUS
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