Andrew Dickson wrote:

> > 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 certain genera will only lead to confusion.  Break everything
> down into genera.  What is consistent about the genus Favartia?  Take
> the answers and compare your findigs to various Latiaxis.
>
> On thing that Murex do not have is continuous uninterrupted spiral
> scales like some Latiaxis, however Latiaxis do not always have
> uninterrupted scales.  Latiaxis that only have spines are not as solid
> as Latiaxis with fine scales.
>
> I don't 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

 I am not sure about this, but Latiaxis have a sculptured protoconch while Murexes
do not.

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