Changes at the species level do have importance for conservation because few governmental agencies will recognize invertebrate subspecies as worthy of protection.  Splitting a species into multiple species also tends to result in multiple forms with reduced ranges, each more likely to need protection than a single, widespread form.  This is particularly an issue for freshwater mollusks, where many are already endangered and the taxonomy is poorly worked out.

One reason for the effort to develop official common names is to have an unchanging name, while the scientific name can be changed to better express taxonomic affinities.  Thus, even though Triplofusus gigantea has many differences from the type species of Pleuroploca (Keen, 1971, Seashells of Tropical West America discussed the differences but overlooked Triplofusus), we can still call it a Florida horse conch.

    Dr. David Campbell
    Old Seashells
    University of Alabama
    Biodiversity & Systematics
    Dept. Biological Sciences
    Box 870345
    Tuscaloosa, AL  35487-0345 USA
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That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at Droitgate Spa