Thanks to Roland for the reply.  Since I receive Conch-L in digest form, 
Marlo had forwarded that reply to me on Let's Talk Seashells, along with 
this link to the gastropods.com page on Morula aspera: 
http://www.gastropods.com/8/Shell_10008.shtml .  The gastropods.com 
thumbnails show the first specimen on that page, which looks nothing 
like my specimen.  Mine corresponds to the second row of pictures on 
that page.  I would be interested in Roland's comments on the identity 
of the other shells pictured there.

I know many species are quite variable; but I also suspect that many of 
the shells pictured on the internet are misidentified.  I suppose it's a 
pipe dream; but it would be great if an authoritative site such as WORMS 
could include links for each accepted species to pictures that the 
expert editors can validate as representative specimens of the species.  
Hardy's Internet Guide to Marine Gastropods is a very valuable resource 
for collectors. Unfortunately it seems to have to depend on the 
identifications given by the suppliers of the pictures.  Some dealers 
also post extensive, very helpful collections of specimen pictures; but 
those also don't always have labels with correct identifications or 
currently accepted names.  Of course, the same problem is seen in many 
of the popular shell books I depend on for initial identifications.

I am very thankful for the many experts who contribute their knowledge 
to Conch-L and the other shell forums to fill in the gaps left by the 
books and the internet.

-- 
Cecil N. Bankston
Baton Rouge, LA

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