Descriptions of two new subgenera and seven new species of Latiaxis (Gastropoda, Mollusca)

Kosuge, S. (1979). Descriptions of two new subgenus and seven new species of the genus Latiaxis (Gastropoda, Mollusca). Bulletin of the Institute of Malacology, Tōkyō, 1(1): 3–8, pls. 2–3. Published 30 May 1979 by the Institute of Malacology of Tokyo (東京貝類研究所), Tanashi, Tokyo, Japan. This publication represents one of the most important early taxonomic contributions to the modern concept of Babelomurex within the family Muricidae. In this paper, Sadao Kosuge established several new subgeneric taxa within Latiaxis and described seven new species from the Indo-Pacific region based on shell morphology. The work introduced the subgenera Laevilatiaxis Kosuge, 1979 and Echinolatiaxis Kosuge, 1979, together with a series of species that have subsequently been transferred to Babelomurex under current taxonomy. Taxa originally described in this publication include Latiaxis (Laevilatiaxis) cristatus, L. (Laevilatiaxis) fruticosus, L. (Laevilatiaxis) macutanicus, L. (Echinolatiaxis) kawanishii, L. (Echinolatiaxis) takahashii, L. (Lamellatiaxis) mediopacificus, and L. (Babelomurex) purpuraterminus. Modern classifications generally recognize these species within the genus Babelomurex Coen, 1922, while the subgeneric concepts proposed by Kosuge are regarded as historical taxonomic arrangements. The article was published in Volume 1, Issue 1 of the Bulletin of the Institute of Malacology, Tōkyō (ISSN 0288-1527), one of the principal Japanese malacological journals of the late twentieth century. The publication comprises pages 3–8 and includes Plates 2–3 illustrating the newly described taxa. Owing to its nomenclatural significance, the work remains an essential reference for the taxonomy, synonymy, and historical interpretation of numerous species currently assigned to Babelomurex and related muricid genera. This repository copy is maintained by the Institute for Molluscan Systematics (IMS), Tenerife, for bibliographic, taxonomic, and historical research purposes. Access is restricted to authorized IMS personnel and collaborators. Redistribution or public dissemination is not permitted without authorization from the relevant copyright holder.