Vokesimurex
Vokesimurex is a genus of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Muricidae, the murex snails or rock snails. This genus was originally proposed by Houbrick in 1980 and included species formerly assigned to Murex and Pteropurpura.
Common Names
There are no common names for the species in Vokesimurex, as they are typically referred to by their scientific names.
Characteristics
Vokesimurex species are distinguished by the following characteristics:
- Shell shape: Typically fusiform (spindle-shaped) with a pointed spire and a long siphonal canal.
- Sculpture: The shell is often covered in prominent axial ribs and spiral cords, creating a nodulose appearance.
- Aperture: The aperture is oval-shaped, and the outer lip is usually toothed or denticulate.
- Operculum: The operculum is corneous (made of horn-like material) and oval-shaped.
Environment
Vokesimurex species are found in marine environments, typically living on rocky substrates in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones. They are often associated with coral reefs and other hard bottom habitats.
Distribution
The distribution of Vokesimurex is primarily in the Indo-Pacific region, with species found in the Indian Ocean, the Western Pacific, and the Eastern Pacific. Some species have also been reported from the Caribbean Sea.