> In going through my Strombs I was inspecting what is discribed as a hybrid
> between Lambis lambis and Lambis millepeda. I have 2 specimens like this
> from the P.I.. The only difference form a normal Lambis lambis is the
> presence of lirae in the aperture.  Isn't it possible that some Lambis
> lambis naturally form lirae in the aperture and therefore what is discribed
> as a hybrid is not so?  The reason I ask is because I have a Strombus
> peruvianus that is strongly lirate while I have others with a smooth
> aperture. There is no hybidization of Strombus peruvianus yet some are
> lirate and others smooth.
>
> Your thoughts?

Strombids seem to have pretty plastic genes. I have seen sufficient
oddball Lambis that I am happy that hybrids are common (and even
intergeneric ones with Harpago... haven't seen a Strombus latissimus x
Harpago chiragra yet, though). One of these has been described as a
species (L. arachnoides = L. wheelwrighti), and is sufficiently common
that I think it may be breeding true and therefore a valid new (in the
literal term) species.

The aperture and spines are about all there is to go on in
determinations; the sculpture and color-patterns of the exterior of
several of the various Lambis species are basically the same.


Regards
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
Fossil preparator
Mollusc, Toyota & VW van nut

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