Wow this has been quite a thread, but I think it is time that it died. I encourage you to continue the sub-threads on the necessity for peer review publications, how we decide what a species is (or is not), but the discussion of who is right or wrong will end now. This is a public list and this discussion is totally out of hand. Individual problems need to be kept between individuals, this is not a day time soap. Move on. I wish to thank John for his apology to the list. We all make occasional mistakes in posting, but when we do we also have to accept the fire storm that results. While I do not know either individual I do know lots of shell collectors and museum professionals. Unlike many fields we have a long history of working together for the common good. Note the words 'COMMON' and 'GOOD'. I suggest everyone take a deep breath, bite their tongue, abstain from hitting the send key, then begin again with a positive state of mind. I just finished reading a great article in the Smithonian about several old friends - great to see news and photos in print and on the web (http://www.smithsonianmag.com)! Amy List owner ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------