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| Some specimens are very difficult to pigeonhole into a given form name, and opinions will vary among leaders in the field. Some workers would use the form name "testudineus" for these dark-washed shells with substantial coggings, an idea that is not without merit. Others would define the shells as I have. The difficulty lies with ambiguity in the original form descriptions and clines within a given form. There is currently work being planned to lump all these shells, along with similiar varieties from selected surrounding areas, under a new form name. (MWJ) |
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| The smaller shell is jewel-tipped and to my knowledge is atypical of Liguus in the Pinecrest 22 area. In his book "The Liguus Tree Snails of South Florida" Henry Close treats this as form testudineus, stating "This is the only dark-wash pink-tipped shell in this part of Pinecrest. Some collectors call it maroratus because of the location." (Plate 5b, row 4, no. 1). I feel the best name for the shell is Liguus fasciatus solisoccasus due to the jewel-tip and the darker coloration. Its status in Pinecrest 22 is unclear to me and it may have been introduced. (MWJ) |
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