> I'm using this alias because I don't want anyone to think I'm this
> stupid.
>         My question is: How is a Latiaxis distinguishable from a Murex? Now, I
> can look at one or the other and say (with confidence), "This is a
> Murex!" or "This is a Latiaxis." But I am not sure what characteristics
> I am looking at that insure the difference.
>         Q-Man

Dear Q-Man,

I don't think there is one good answer to the question.  It is probably
a chaotic series of answers.  Looking at the overall variability of
members of Murex and Latiaxis will only lead to confusion.  Break
everything down into genera. For example: What is consistent about the
genus Favartia?  Take the answers and compare your findings to various
Latiaxis.

On thing that Murex do not have is continuous uninterrupted spiral
scales like some Latiaxis, however certain Latiaxis only have spines.
Latiaxis that only have spines are not as solid as Latiaxis with fine
scales.  (I am not sure about the last sentence.)

I do not know how Latiaxis are broken down into genera these days.  I
understand that there have been a lot of changes since the 1985 Latiaxis
book by Kosuge & Suzuki,

The very rare Murex hystricina from the Caribbean looks very much like
some species of Latiaxis.

"The world would be boring if it didn't have its share of chaos."

Andrew Dickson