From the dictionary;
variation= A thing which is somewhat different from another of the same
kind.
Variable= tending to deviate somewhat from a fixed type.

an example applied to marine mollusks;
A specie which shows many variations in color patterns (surface sculpture,
etc.), is sometimes referred to as variable. The variability of the specie
may be caused by differnces in salinity or temperature.

Hope this helps!
-----Original Message-----
From: helmut nisters <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, November 11, 2000 1:44 AM
Subject: variability and variation


>Dear Conchlers,
>
>Maybe that I can't understand 2 terms in English language: variability and
>variation. If a species or subspecies
>within a population from the same population shows some differences as a
>band (lighter or darker) or without
>band (like some species of Chilostoma) I'll speak from a wideness of
>variability. In sense of of the rules of
>nomenclature variation is nearly the same as form or abberation. Former
>some subspecies now or less than
>a subspecies have been called forma or variation.
>Please tell me your opinion or explain me the difference of vaiability and
>variation
>thanks
>with best shelling greetings
>Helmut
>
>
>Helmut "Helix" Nisters
>private:
>Franz-Fischer-Str. 46
>A-6020 Innsbruck / Austria / Europe
>phone: 0043 / 512 / 57 32 14
>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>website: www.netwing.at/nisters
>office:
>Natural History Department of the
>Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum Innsbruck
>Feldstrasse 11a
>A-6020 Innsbruck / Austria / Europe
>phone: 0043 / 512 / 58 72 86 - 37
>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>website: www.tiroler-landesmuseum.at