Though there is plenty of Liguus specialist out there with a better
viewpoint here is my take.

Many varieties which have been described over the years are no longer in
existence due to the complete destruction of the hammock in which they
resided.  Further more there is a great problem with their destruction
(especially in the Keys)  from spraying for mosquitoes.  Many colonies have
been move from hammock to hammock and intermingled with other varieties.
Thus further loss by inter breeding.  There is know way to truly answer your
question with exacting accuracy due to the nature of population growth,
current data, and pre-scientific data... i.e. - what was lost before and
since gentlemen like Archie Jones, Torrey Simpson and Frank Young completed
their work.

Tread Davidson did a fantastic article in the March 1965 National Geographic
(Vol. 127, #3)  Tree Snails - Gems of the Everglades which really put the
spotlight on this mollusc and Color illustrations of 52 varieties are
provided.

An earlier work by Charles Torrey Simpson 1929, The Florida Tree Snails of
the Genus Liguus, # 2741 - From Proceedings of the United States National
Museum, Vol. 73, Art 20, pp. 1-44, has 4 plates with half-tones of 46
specimens.  This publication also has an excellent map with location data.

Frank N. Young  1961?,  Color Pattern Variation among Snails of the Genus
Liguus on the Florida Keys Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural
History.  Volume 5 (1959-1961),  6:259- 266.    This is another excellent
out-of -print resource.

I for one appreciate form names which identify consistent varieties which
are found within a species.  Often the characteristics which cause it to
have its form distinction are strictly environmental or dietary.  Even
though a specimen may change its form characteristics by relocation and or
interbreeding it doe put a face on the depth of the shells we so admire.

Though Isla Hispanolia (Hattie and Dominican Republic) and Cuba have Liguus
species I have never seen much on their varieties, I think it would be an
excellent addition to my library.  There probably is some works by Aguayo
from Institute Carlos de la Torre in Habana Cuba.

If I dug into literature enough I would not be surprised to find that
Jamaica and the rest of the Greater Antilles have there own Liguus Species
too.
Cheers,
Leslie

Mr. Leslie Allen Crnkovic
Halieus Anthropos Research Foundation
Institute for Marine and Coastal Studies
10440  Valley Forge Drive,  Suite 2
Houston,  Texas 77042-1918  USA

713-784-7084 Office  /  713-784-9084  Fax   /  713-598-7084  Cel
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-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists of America List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Ross Mayhew
Sent: 12 May, 2000 5:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: oops! - and Liguus varieties ranges

Sorry for posting that personal message to Mark - the finger is quicker
than the eye!

I have been wondering about all those 50 "valid" named varieties of
Liguus fasciatus (Muller): do they breed true?  Also, do some of them
have very limited ranges, and on any given hummock in the Everglades,
how many varieties is one likely to find?

Much better today! (almost 8 C ..)
Ross.