Dear Conchlers,

I would like some educated comments about how important protoconchs are
for the identification and/or separation of similar species.  It seems to
be easy for some collectors to accept the use of protoconchs for the
separation of certain species.  When it comes to some of those more
controversial shells, protoconch differences can or tend to be ignored.

Busycon sinistrum pulleyi is a shell with a different protoconch but
there are not many who think it is different species.  On the other hand,
there species of Maurea from New Zealand which are very similar and
separated by the protoconchs.

I seem to sense protoconchs may not be a great indicator for separation
of species in general.  Perhaps they may only show evidence of a
subspecies.

I hope to see some of you at the C.O.A.

Andrew Dickson