Concerning the systematics of Muricidae, I fully agree that suprageneric
classification must await a comprehensive, wide range revision, taking into
account many aspects (including morphoogy, DNA, paleontology).
For what we presently know, rapanines include representatives of possibly
two great radiations: the true rapanines and the ergalataxines, plus
several other lineages. If this will hold true, the definition of Rapaninae
and Ergalataxinae must be redrawn. Another aspect that cannot be neglectd
is that coralliophiline DNAs have proven being a sister group of "rapanine"
ones. Since the "rapanines" included in that analysis (J. Moll. Stud.
(2001)67:215-224) were only a frew species, we hase not yet a conclusive
idea of what the actual position of coralliophilines vs. rapanines vs.
ergalataxines is.
Finally, as in many systematic issues, the rank (family, subfamily, tribe
etc..) each group will be given in a final classification is just a matter
of agreement among the specialists. My personal view is that a muricid
radiation is anatomically well defined and chronologically congruent with a
family Muricidae and several subfamilies (each representing a subsequent
different radiation).

All the best

=========================================================
Marco Oliverio - Evolutionary Biology PhD
Research Scientist

Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'Uomo
Viale dell'Universita' 32
I-00185 Roma   ITALY

phone  +39.06.49914307  NEW NUMBER !!
FAX    +39.06.4958259
e-mail: [log in to unmask]