Dear Dennis,

you make some interesting points. I agree we have to wait for the original
description. One thing: the colour pattern in C. glorioceanus is complicated
and yet it is exactly the same as in C. gloriamaris. Do you know any other
example of a colour pattern this complex (note, e.g. the paler bands), yet
shared by species from different genera? I would be surprised.

Kind regards,

Marien

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis sargent" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:40 PM
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] New species of Cone: it' s a dwarfed gloriamaris


> Dear Marien,
>
> In their book on Oliva, Bernard Tursch and Dietmar Greifeneder described a
> phenomenon that they named "local color palette". This is where a number
> of
> species from the same locality which are very structurally different,
> share
> the same colors and pattern. This is very common in Oliva species,
> especially in the Philippines and the Caribbean. This may be the result of
> the development of cryptic coloration or simply, using the molecular
> building blocks and pigments that are found in their common environment.
> This could be true with other genera as well. A number of Conus species
> share similar pattern elements and color.
>
> I am looking forward to reading the description in Visaya. I am certain
> that
> the authors have described significant structural differences that are
> present in glorioceanus that are not present in gloriamaris. A number of
> researchers have used computers and biometrics to try to sort out the
> taxonomy of families and genera of mollusks. This usually does not have
> the
> best outcomes and does not replace the basic studies of anatomy and
> morphology. We may have to wait for those who have the resources to build
> a
> genetic map and sort out the DNA to combine that knowledge with the other
> parameters mentioned to be more confident in our decisions.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Dennis Sargent

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