Kurt Auffenberg wrote:
>
> Jorge,
> Only one genus comes to mind right now, but there are probably others.  The
> genus Mcleania from Hispaniola/also maybe Puerto Rico has projections along
> the periphery.  The shells are small, 5-8 mm in  diameter and very rare in
> private collections.  I think there are two or three species, darlingtoni
> being one, not sure of the others.  Clench described darlingtoni, I think
> as the type species of the genus.  Thompson described another species in
> the 1970's, can't remember the name.  There may be another species, but I
> believe it's undescribed from Hispaniola.  They are in the family Sagdidae,
> oops, maybe the Thysanophoridae.  Don't have literature here at this office.
>
> Many other land snails in numerous families have projections along the
> periphery, but these are periostracal in origin.  These may range from
> thick and stiff projections to long hair-like filaments.  Very few snails
> have the shelly projections seen in numerous marine species.  I don't know
> why this is.  One of those many mysteries of life, I guess.  Kind of like
> how microwave ovens work.
>
> Reading over the above, I realize I present a lot of unknowns and partial
> data.  But, as we say in the South, "It's better than a poke in the eye
> with a sharp stick".  I realize this statement probably loses a lot in
> translation into the various languages present on this list, but a truism
> is impossible to debate.  I'll leave it at that.
>
> Have a great weekend.
>
> Kurt
 
Thanks for the information, Kurt, very kind.
 
> >
> >Jorge Mendez
> >
> >Mexico City
> >