Geographic Variation and Distribution of Rock Shell, Thais clavigera (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the Korean Coasts

In general, intertidal gastropods display a considerable amount of intraspecific shell variation (De Wolf et al., 1998). Particularly, thaisid species, including Thais clavigera(=T.c.), have been shown a variety of shell variation in the world ocean (e.g. T, emerginata in Kitching, 1976). Nomura (1926) noted local variation of shell morphology based on five Japanese populations. Ahe (1985) classified Japanese T.c. into two forms (Form-C ＆. -P). In the Korean waters, a strong variation in nodule shape of T.c, shell has also been noted by Choe ＆ Park (1997). Taxonomy of T.c. is controversial so far. (omitted)