I don't know of any recent studies, but must admit, I do not keep up with
everything....

The Manual of Conchology, Pilsbry...not sure of volume number or date of
publication is probably the best source of information on this confusing
group.  I know P. Bouchet's group in Paris did a lot of collecting, both
marine and terrestrial, in New Caledonia....but I'm not sure if Placostylus
was ever addressed.

Good luck.....Kurt


At 04:52 PM 9/29/00 +0200, you wrote:
>Bonjour
>
>Thank you for your swift answer.
>So I'm sure to have a Placostylus of New Caledonia, but
>What is it: bovinus , caledonicus, alexander, scarabeus
>                cleryi, fibr&atus, souvillei or ....
>all names taken in the marvellous list of Poppe' Orthalicidae
>and the compendium of course.
>Do anyone know where to find a study on this group of some 60 sp. & Subsp; &
>form,
>perhaps the shell is not sufficient.