Does anyone know if there are reliable characteristics to tell the shell of Acanthinucella punctulata from the shell of Acanthinucella spirata once you are NORTH of Point Conception, in areas where supposedly the two species can look extremely similar?

Also, do we know: is it true or not that A. spirata can occur even quite a lot further north in California than Monterey Bay?

McLean 1978 says that A. spirata lives lower in the intertidal zone than A. punctulata, but I am looking for info on shell characteristics that might separate the two species, even when the shell is hermit-crabbed.

Thanks.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------