Proposed changes of taxonomy

of species, subspecies and forms compared to the 2006 checklist

Name What's new
arabica immanis f. rudimaculosa
this is actually a subspecies from Madagascar, but Bozzetti named it as a form, so the name is invalid according to ICZN
bellatrix
see helvola callista
cicercula tuamotensis
Although in validly introduced as a form of margarita, the name was validated by me in 1999 (La Conchiglia 292 p. 22). Later, Moretzsohn described cicercula takahashii from Hawaii, not considering tuamotensis, which according to DNA studies is identical. As older name, tuamotensis has priority over takahashii. Even specimens from Tahiti may have very faint tubercles, but back in 1993 the conchological features lead A. Hubert and myself to assign this eastern Polynesian subspecies to margarita rather than cicercula. Hawaiian specimens are larger and mostly darker. The name takahashii is therefore maintained as a forma of tuamotensis, which was based on smaller shells from Tuamotu and Tahiti.
cribraria comma f. toliarensis
this variation from Madagascar has a distinct dorsal line and faint spots along the margins. It is also found among series of comma from other places
diauges f. uvongoensis
possibly even a subspecies. A red-brown shell from Natal. Very rare.
friendii kostini
the deep water subspecies of friendii, comparable to jeaniana aurata
helvola meridionalis and callista
these become formae of argella and helvola. A revision of the group is in preparation.
helvola hawaiiensis
becomes a valid species
helvola callista
specimens from the Marquesas formerly called callista (syn. of helvola) are a separate species, which are going to be named bellatrix
hungerfordi bealsi f. lovetha
is now considered a synonym. There are no discernible differences to bealsi, not even on the level of a form.
Ransoniella
the new genus comprising punctata and martini (formerly "Notadusta")
stolida clavicola f. salaryensis
a local variety from S. Madagascar
turdus micheloi
a Lessepsian population from the Mediterranean with distinct shell characteristics

The following recently described taxa are not added to the list*:
cicercula takahashii Moretzsohn 2008 is a synonym of tuamotensis Lorenz 1999 (non tuamotensis Lorenz & Hubert 1993 (invalid)).
kuroharai victoriae Merlin & Quiquandon 2008: no difference at all to kuroharai, from the Philippines
erosa fuscocincta Bozzetti 2008: a freak colour form
orientalis gabensis Van Heesfelde & Deprez 2008: is the nominate (deeper water) orientalis
Ransoniella fusula, glandina, serrata, bulbosa, oryza, meyeri, radiosa, labrosa, carula, erminea, uvula, vulgata, zyzypha, persticta all Dolin 2007: variations of Ransoniella punctata punctata.

* all this is certainly just my personal opinion.