Art Weil wrote:
>
> One mo time----
> I need (want) to know if there are distinguishing
> characteristics that separate:
> babelomurex
> coralliophila
> latiaxis
> Someone (most people) probably knows more than me about them.
> Thanks;
> Art Weil
Art, I'm no expert but I looked at the family Coralliophilidae in
Wilson's Australian Marine Shells Vol.2 .
By comparing the short description of each genus on pp.15,16, and 19 and
looking at the photos on plate 7, I would conclude that :
(1) Coralliophila has basically spiral sculpture with very low spines,if
any.
(2) Babelomurex has keeled whorls with spines at the shoulders and spiny
spiral sculpture.
(3) Latiaxis is loosely coiled around the axis and has flat-topped
whorls.
Your question prompted me to look up something I had never pondered. I
thank you. I think this basic info can be confirmed by looking thru the
Illustrated Catalog of Latiaxis and Its Related Groups (Kosuge and
Suzuki).