>I did a quick web search for Brotia.  I did not find the species dactylus, though I found a lot of other species.  I also found that no-one can seem to agree where to classify this genus.  On various websites I found it listed under Thiaridae, Pleuroceridae, Melanellidae, and Melanatriidae (which I never heard of).  Which is the correct family?<

I am not sure what the latest familial classification is, but I do know that the freshwater cerithioideans are getting a lot of attention from systematists, including molecular work.  A couple of traditional families have had many genera lumped into them, so expect to see a good deal of fluidity in the taxonomy over the next few years.

>I also discovered that there is a genus of tropical fish called Brotia.  What's the story here?  I thought that was a no-no.  <

You are correct.  Whichever use of Brotia was first will stand and the other needs replaced.  Plants or bacteria can have the same name as animals, however, so Ficus can be a gastropod and fig trees.


    Dr. David Campbell
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That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at Droigate Spa