Dear Gary;- Is there any basic definition of species that can be agreed on by all disciplines and biological interests? What I am looking for is a "backing off" from that which applies to Mollusks or Fungi or Eubacteria or Californians, and encompasses all. It would be a simple statement which would be further enhanced under a sub-staement for each specific discipline. Just because we don't got it now, doesn't mean it isn't out there somewhere. Art