Hi Linda
A quick review of 3 separate renditions of ICZN (not just years)
produced nothing on the topic.

So after search in:
"Composition of Scientific words"  and
"The dictionary of root words and combining forms"

Here is my take on it:
aff. = affini (Latin) - allied, related (an affinity towards)
cf.  = confinis (Latin)- neighboring, adjoining; see affinis under kin.

As a note I have usually seen on labels c.f. not cf.
Years ago when I asked I was told it is "closest form".
Perhaps this is a case of the laymen redefining it yet not losing the
meaning in the process.

Leslie

____________________________________
The abbreviations are from Latin, and mean that the specimen identified is
"near to" or "related to" the named species, but is possibly or probably not
that species.  This is used when you are not positive of the identification,
or the specimen has characteristics that don't seem to exactly match the
description (or your concept) of the species.  The abbreviations are only
notes, and not part of the species name.

aff. = affinis:  akin to, bordering.
cf. or cfr. = confer:  compare.
Howard

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of lindawbush
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 4:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: What do "cf" and "aff" mean?


Hello, Shell Lovers!
I have been looking at some shell photos on line, and I
want to know what "cf" before a species name means?  The
same question arises fot "aff" before a species name.  I
have a guess as to what they mean, but am not sure.

Thanks,
Linda