Rich,
 
> If the land snail fauna has a closer relationship to Fiji and New
>Caledonia, what region is the marine fauna related to?
 
I quite honestly never thought to use marine fauna as an additional
potential aid in this regard. I'm not really into marine but did build up
quite a comprehensive collection on Norfolk Island (very regular walks
along the beach - couldn't help myself). Compared to Queensland or even the
Central Coast area of NSW., the marine moluscs are fairly unspectacular.
 
Yes, there are endemic and regional forms. There are some species or types
very rare in Australia but common there - mainly minis. Neville Coleman has
done work there but someone needs to do the minis and unspectacular
species. I will look into it, thanks for pointing out what should have been
the obvious.
 
There is almost no relationship between the land snails of the Kermadecs
and of Norfolk (ditto re New Zealand and Norfolk). But it might be
different re marine species - as you suggested. Thanks for the stimulating
message. Will let you know what I come up with.
 
Best Wishes,
 
Robert
Response to Conch-L message 3/1/98:
Rich
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Richard L. Goldberg
Worldwide Specimen Shells
email:  [log in to unmask]
homepage:  http://www.erols.com/worldwide
Updated March 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
    ______
   /  ___ \                        DR VARMAN'S WEBSITE
  |  / , \ |O    O       http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/6559/
  | |  \d/ | \__/            Archaeology, Land Snails, Genealogy
  |__\_____/-(..)        Norfolk Island, Sydney, Best Links, Personal
_/_____________/.........................................................
    31 Wombat Street, Berkeleyvale, Central Coast, NSW, Australia, 2261
Phone +61 43 882169     Fax +61 43 898450     Email [log in to unmask]