> Could any of the experts on this wonderful list serve knowledgeable in the
> Family Haliotidae clarify the status of Haliotis assimilis Dall, 1878 from
> Baja California. Is this a separate species or is it a subspecies of
> Haliotis kamtschatkana Jonas, 1845?


If there is a consistent difference between forms, and if intergrades
do not occur where the forms' distributions overlap, then they are
distinct species. If there are intergrades, then there is either one
species OR two species are hybridizing (in the latter instance there
should also be typical specimens of both parent species present as
well as the hybrids).

H. kamtschatkana appears to grade with latitude, the assimilis form
being the southern end of the grade.

Subspecies are a poor idea and are being abandoned by many taxonomists.

--
Regards
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
Mollusc, Toyota & VW van fan

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