What I wanted to say: You can describe a full species or a subspecies
according to the rules of nomenclature. What' s not allowed to describe
any more are forms and variaties. So you have decide you for a
species or a subspecies. You have to clear up if this species or
a subspecies already exist, on the other hand the will put your
described species in synonomy with the other. The name you give
to a species or a subspecies, you can choose as you want, you
can name this species after a person, who has worked on the family
or who found this species for the first time. You can choose a
name after what the shell is looking, but the species names should
not contain bad or dirty expressions.
Helmut from Innsbruck
 
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> I would like to have my say in the naming of shells discussion.
>
> James
> There is no reason why a non professional cannot name a species but as
> Patty Jansen says you must be prepared to lodge the type material (a
> holotype and at least 1 paratype) with a suitable institution.
> You must also be sure without a doubt that the species will be valid, as
> Art says the literature is full of synonymous names, to do this you must
> have access to a large library and collection with loan facilities and
> support, without these you cannot be sure that your species is unique.
> There is also a good rule to go by, your "new" species should have at
> least 3 distinct features which separate it from any similar species,
> which you must describe in your paper along with comparisons of other
> species.
> Last but not least make sure you publish in a reputable scientific
> journal where it will be sent to at least 2 referees for comment prior
> to publishing.
>
> Kev
>
>
> Art Weil wrote:
> >
> > For James and others who may have the same problem, let me refer
> > you to my article in HSN, January 1995, Pg. 9. If you chose not to look
> > it up, it's about giving a new name to what you believe to be a new
> > species.
> >      I've also been trying to find Norm Paschall's great article on the
> > 27? some names already given to E. lamellosum. Our hobby (scientific
> > study) is full of examples of multi-named mollusks.
> >      Art
>