Dear colleagues,

Perhaps this may sound a bit too scientific (along the biodiversity-quest
track), but I remember speaking with a specialist on Strombidae (I can't
remember her name!) about the family's taxonomy.  It seems there are a
number of species groups which undergo a virtually non-dispersing larval
stage.  Thus, it is likely that there are still quite a few species
awaiting discovery in shallow or moderately deep waters in the Indo-Pacific
region.  If this is the case, I would'nt guess how many species of
Strombidae really exist out there.  It could easily be twice the recorded
figure, for example...

Best wishes,

Cristian R. Altaba

-----Mensaje original-----
De:     Paul Monfils [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Enviado el:     martes 6 de julio de2004 06:33
Para:   [log in to unmask]
Asunto: Re: Better question about conch shells

There are about 75 different species of true conchs (genus Strombus),
ranging in size from less than an inch to more than a foot in length.
However, the shells commonly used in India for religious (primarily Hindu)
ceremonies, while sometimes referred to as "conchs", are not actually
Strombus.  They are Turbinella pyrum, a member of a completely different
family. They are more properly referred to as "chank shells" rather than
"conch shells".

Paul M.

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