For the most up-to-date classification of the Scaphopoda I refer to:

Steiner, G. & Kabat, A.R., 2001. Catalogue of supraspecific taxa of Scaphopoda (Mollusca). Zoosystema, 23 (3): 433-460.

I similar catalogue dealing with the species-group taxa has been submitted by the authors for publication in the same journal (which is the scientific journal of the Natural History Museum in Paris).

Best regards,

Henk k. Mienis ----- Original Message ----- From: Alfonso Pina To: CONCH-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2004 6:23 PM Subject: Re: green scaphopods

Dear Harry and Andrew,

Dentalium entalis was confirmed as the type species for the genus Antalis H. & A. Adams, 1854 in ICZN opinion 361 (1955), and so it was included in the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology. On the contrary, genus Antalis Hermannsen, 1846 was included in the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Names in Zoology. May be this is a source of confusion?

I can't judge very well the merits of the conchological features to distinguish the two genera (Dentalium / Antalis) but, anyway, validity (or unvalidity) of the names should be ideally supported by published works. Personal opinions are undoubtely interesting many times, but it would be desirable that they are stated as just opinions. All this, in order to avoid more confusion.

Alfonso Pina Málaga, Spain alfonsopina@telefonica.net www.eumed.net/malakos