Someone SHOULD standarize these facts to lessen confussion. I basically agree with Sohei Shirai's Book "Pearls & Pearl Oysters of the World", where many pearl oyster species were "absorbed" into Pinctada imbricata.

Also, an interesting genetic study by Ilyia Temkin (Museum of Natural History, NY) may help further...already read some advances, but I hope he finishes soon!

So...anyone interested on this subject? should we continue using the old syntax or the new one (Shirai's)? Both?