i read three letters about synonyms why are so many synonyms are made ? Usually, we say the author didn't read enough papers, we say the author didn't know the specimem is a young shell. but i think the main reason is that we don't konw how much difference is enough to make a species name valid. In some families , a very small difference means a valid new species, but in some families we need huge difference to make a new name valid. For examlpe, in Cypraeidae, we need very small difference, Cypraea arabica and C.eglantina are both valid, Cypraea carneola and C.leviathan are both valid. But in Conidae, Conus samiae is consider as Syn. of C.sulcatus. if you got a C.saniae from East China Sea and a C.sulcatus in your hand, you will find the difference between C.samiae and C.sulcatus is far bigger than difference between Cyprea carneola and C.leviathan. If the difference between Conus samiae and C.sulcagus is not enough to make two name both valid, How many tree snails Liggus spp. are valid ? So, i think tons of syn came from that we don't have a valid criteria of defference between two valid species. Yes, a criteria exits, that is about hybride, unfortunately,It doesn't work. No enough study on hybrid. if we had completely study on hybrid some day, i believe there exits hybrid between two valid species even between two valid families ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------