John,

Thank you for the reference, which I will try to locate if possible here,
some 700 mile east of the ocean.

What I was concerned about may not be all that complicated. I would guess
that something about the shape of the foot, eyes, what Vexillum uses to
capture prey, etc., might be what A&D were referring to in mentioning
"anatomical" differences. By the way, who is the author of "Southern
Synthesis?"

-Burt Vaughan
2456 Harris Avenue
Richland, WA 99352
email: <[log in to unmask]>
website: <http://nighthawk.tricity.wsu.edu/museum/home.html>


> From: Automatic digest processor <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 23:56:28 -0400
> To: Recipients of CONCH-L digests <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: CONCH-L Digest - 17 Apr 2002 to 18 Apr 2002 - Special issue
> (#2002-106)
>
> From: John Wolff <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 11:44:14 -0400
> Subject: Re: Mitridae-Costellariidae?
>
> "Southern Synthesis" devotes four large pages to Mitridae, Volutomitridae, and
> Costellaridae, including bibliography. It ain't all that straightforward to
> someone like me who knows nothing about anatomy.
> Contact me privately if I can help with details.
>
> At 08:09 AM 4/18/02 -0700, you wrote:
> Abbott & Dance state that the Costellaridae were placed in a separate family
> from Mitridae based on differences in anatomy of the two molluscs. Does
> anybody know what specific anatomical features distinguish the two living
> organisms? Or, principal reference source?
>
> -Burton
> John Wolff
> 2640 Breezewood Drive
> Lancaster, PA 17601  -    USA
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Website: http://home.dejazzd.com/jpwolff/index.html