Zoa vs. Zoo

[SkyShark]

I've mostly seen Zoanthid abbreviated as "Zoa," but i've also seen a number of people and sites (that I respect) abbreviate this as "Zoo." Anyone know why/where this abbreviation comes from seeing that Zoanthid only has one "o" in it? Are both terms accepted?
Pretty random, but it made me wonder!

 

[ReefCheif]

Ive noticed from various zoanthid clubs I follow on Facebook that ones that are foriegn seem to abbreviate with zoo. Im 99% sure its the same thing

 

[SkyShark]

Ive noticed from various zoanthid clubs I follow on Facebook that ones that are foriegn seem to abbreviate with zoo. Im 99% sure its the same thing

That makes sense. I was looking at the Vivid Aquariums site today and noticed they use "Zoo" throughout the site. They are definitely referring to the same thing - just seems like a strange inconsistency.

 

[Jeremiah]

Most well-known zoanthids are the zooxanthellate genera found in tropical and sub-tropical waters (primareily Zoanthus and Palythoa).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoantharia

Most of us say zoa and we mean zoa and paly....technically Zoo means either if you go by that description.

 

[Walter White]

In my experience allot of people just use the terms interchangeably with no real reasoning behind it but I like Jeremiah's explanation for those that have purpose behind the term used.

 

[CRW Reef]

I think people use ZOO because everyone who likes them and develops an addiction to them belongs in a Zoo

But really I think when people use the word Zoos they are just using a slang term for zoanthids and palythoas as Jeremiah and ThunderTwonk suggested.

 

[Cherub]

I think people use ZOO because everyone who likes them and develops an addiction to them belongs in a Zoo

ba dum tsss!

 

[FinsUp]

I think people use ZOO because everyone who likes them and develops an addiction to them belongs in a Zoo

But really I think when people use the word Zoos they are just using a slang term for zoanthids and palythoas as Jeremiah and ThunderTwonk suggested.

Are ya sayin' we belong in a zoo, Chad?? Pshaw!

 

[jda123]

People also use Zoa or Zoo to refer to a Paly.... or Paly to refer to a Zoa/Zoo. Just roll with it... they are all colonial anemones in the end.

 

[ReefCheif]

Heres a question Ive alwas wondered? What exactly makes a zoanthid and palythoa different? Is it the disk size?

 

[CRW Reef]

http://www.saltyunderground.com/article_info.php?articles_id=52

Great write up imo

 

[Shaunv]

Also, zoa gets auto corrected by iPhones and iPads to read zoos. lol

 

[SkyShark]

Good stuff, thanks.