 Because of their visual appeal, the shells have been the target of heavy collection pressure — a serious issue since some varieties are very scarce, and some are believed to have become extinct in the 20th century.The genus "Liguus" is restricted to some of the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola) and to Florida.Four of the species, "Liguus virgineus" (Hispaniola), "L. blainianus" (Habana and Pinar del Río Provinces, Cuba), "L. flammellus" (Pinar del Río Province, Cuba), and "L. vittatus" (Oriente Province, Cuba [since 1976, divided into five new provinces]), have localized ranges, while the numerous subspecies of "Liguus fasciatus" are more widely distributed, in both Cuba and southern Florida.