Babelomurex diadema (A. Adams, 1854) (Fig. 7E)

Murex diadema A. Adams, 1854: 70 .

Latiaxis (Baberomurex) [sic] gemmatus Shikama, 1966: 24, pl. 2, figs 1-6.

Latiaxis macutanica Kosuge, 1979: 6, pl. 3, figs 6-10.

TYPE MATERIAL. — Murex diadema: syntype (BMNH 1985107; figured by Kosuge & Suzuki [1985: pl. 35, figs 1, 2]) .

Latiaxis gemmatus: syntype (KPM NG0103749; the largest of those figured by Shikama [1966: pl. 2, figs 1-3] also figured by Kosuge & Suzuki [1985: pl. 35, fig. 11]) and Higo et al. [2001: 68, G2456]).

Latiaxis macutanica: holotype (IMT 79-5; not examined; figured by Kosuge & Suzuki [1985: pl. 35, fig. 10]; “transferred to the collection of Mr. Masaji Suzuki” [Kosuge 1992]).

TYPE LOCALITY. — Murex diadema: Philippines. Latiaxis gemmatus: Okinoshima, SW Shikoku, Japan. Latiaxis macutanica: Mactan, Cebu Island, Philippines.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Th e type material of Murex diadema and Latiaxis gemmatus, and:

BENTHAUS, stn DW 1998, North coast of Rurutu, 22°24.8’S, 151°22.2’W, 250-302 m, 1 dd (Fig. 7E).

DISTRIBUTION. — West Pacific, from southern Japan, South China Sea and the Philippines, “ 50-200 m, rocks” (Higo et al. 1999: 220). New Caledonia, Norfolk Ridge, Loyalty Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga, empty shells in 130-578 m (Oliverio 2008b). Austral Islands, one empty shell in 250- 302 m.

REMARKS

In this group, variation in shell characters (including protoconch dimensions: Oliverio 2008b) suggests that more species may be involved. I lump under this name, specimens of the Babelomurex diadema group with smaller diameter protoconchs (1.6-1.8 whorls, 580-625 µm at the base), but the complex is in need of major revision. It is here stressed that information on the protoconch of the types is missing and thus identification of the nominal species remains severely hampered.