Aff. & cf.

[richard jensen]

Now I am confused.  I have always used aff. to indicate that the
specimen in question is closely related to the taxon noted; e.g.,
if I label a specimen "aff. Quercus velutina," then I am saying that
it has a degree of affinity with that species and is more like
that species than any other.  I would interpret cf. as indicating
that it could be compared to the taxon in  question, but may be
different.

If these different interpretations exist among extant taxonomists,
then can we conclude that they existed in the past?  And, if so, how
can we be certain about interpreting annotations?

Cheers,
Dick Jensen
fnpfr3 at irishmvs.cc.nd.edu