Hello Marlo,

As one who has been intrigued by taxonomy and classification since I was a
child, I continue to realize that the more we learn, the less we know. I am
currently working with Ed Petuch on a revision of our 1986 book on the genus
Oliva. In the process of doing the book, we have found that the process of
evolution is working much faster than we had ever realized. Paleontologists
speak of evolution in terms of thousands and/or millions of years. However,
we are finding extensions in range and resulting interspecific and
intergeneric hybridization that were not known thirty years ago. As a result
we will be making some major revisions.

In the past, we considered genera and species as neat little boxes where we
could put everything in order. Now we realize that evolution is occurring
right before our eyes and there are many gray areas where range extensions
due to natural processes have caused species to come together and
interbreed. Their offspring will become the "species" of the future. This is
very common in some families, such as the Strombidae, and less common in
others.

A number of reasons come to mind, without a name it is very difficult to
justify working with something or protecting it. But in the larger scheme of
things, it appears that the description of species has but one main purpose.
That is to provide a chronological history of life on our planet. Other
reasons will simply vanish in time along with the species as evolution
marches on.

Best wishes,

Dennis Sargent



-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Marlo Krisberg
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 6:11 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] Significance of species differentiation

James' comment and my reply got me to thinking in the context of a survey in
which I participated recently regarding the significance of diversity in the
workplace.  We have discussed the nature of species here on Conch-L in the
past.  But, what I'd really like to hear is why it matters.  Why is it
important to be able to distinguish species?  Other than providing a longer
inventory list for dealers (more sales), what is the point?

Marlo

-----Original Message-----
From: Marlo
Sent: September 21

All depends on how you want to define what makes a species.  Join the
debate.

-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]] On September 20

This shell .... Molecular analysis is all well and good, but I would be more
interested in whether these two can actually interbreed.

James Cheshire

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