Hello , David .None of us three assumed that the possibility of
hybridization between all related Harpa species does not really exist ( even
if very small ) so I do not think that any of us can already deserve the
adjective " unwise " , what I said is that " I have never heard about a
possible hybridization within any Harpidae genus . " simply because that is
the truth , which does not mean at all that since I have never heard about
it hybridization does not exist among Harpidae . Even if all Harpa species
somewhat show the same morphology I still am not at all sure ( but not 100%
unsure ) that true hybrids could not be identified as such . I must also
remind that H. davidis and H. articularis are not sympatric ( so how could
they hybridize ? ) and that the conditions for hybridization between H.
articularis and H. major still remain extremely hard to meet . As far as I
am concerned I did read ( and re-read again and again ) the original
descriptions of all the contemporary Harpidae species as I have been
collecting Harpidae for only more than 15 years however my obvious lack of
experience did not succeed in preventing me from having the daring of
publishing some articles on the genus Harpa as well as on the genus Morum .
Otherwise I am interested in any information about the hybrid specimen(s) of
Pongo ( any species of chimp ) and Homo sapiens sapiens showing
characteristics of both species . Franck Frydman

-------Message original-------

De : Conchologists of America List
Date : 03/15/04 18:50:32
A : [log in to unmask]
Sujet : Re: Réf. : Re: Harpa Hybrids

Hello Rick, Franck and Andrew,

I have a growing interest on hybrids.

It is of my experience, that despite finding hybrids is indeed highly
improbable , assuming they are not a real possibility between all related
species is unwise.

The genus Harpa as such a similar morphology, that if hybrids did occur
they could be impossible to identify.
Even experienced collectors, re-read descriptions, before making a final
judgement on the classification of most species within Harpa. If we were
faced with an hybrid, how sure would we be of having found one? A tricky
mutation could easily explain it...

Theoretically, we could interbreed with chimpanzees, and there is at least
one specimen known to exhibit mixed characters. A quantity of different
molluscs with an higher degree of resemblance are interacting continuously
in their underwater routine. What would be extremely difficult, was that
they would not reproduce successfully.

I am sure they come along like sinistral´s, as I keep looking for new ones
to the collection ;)

Best regards,
David C.

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