-45m (-25 fms), Trawled, Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, 58.4mm.
The « Tricorn Murex » is a a somewhat uncomm.on muricid ranging from west Mexico to Ecuador. A predatory gastropod, it inhabits shallow to moderate depths of around -10-100m. It is rather variable in form and colouration, extent of spines especially so. There a few very similar and difficult to separate Vokesimurex in this region including this one, which may be forms of the « Bent-Beak Murex » Vokesimurex recurvirostris (Broderip, 1833). Typical shell length around 55mm., very large specimens may reach 80mm.

Shell small for the genus, of moderate weight and thickness; spire low, acutely produced; whorls about 7, strongly convex, obtusely shouldered; principal whorls strongly trivaricose, the intervals bearing a pair or triad of axial ridges which strengthen on and below the shoulder; varices continuous, rather flatly elevated, armed with 6 to 9 strong, acute, hollow spines; shoulder spine usually much the longest, both this and the one next below rapidly tapering and showing a strong upward curvature towards the tip, the subsequent spines diminishing as they descend the whorl; canal spines 2 or 3, horizontal, nearly straight; spiral cords on body-whorl about 9. Aperture fairly large, ovate; canal long, narrow, nearly straight, but slightly up-curved at the tip; outer lip erect, minutely crenate, with 7 to 9 denticles within. Body of shell pale grayish brown, the spiral cords a darker brown; varices and spines mainly white. Alt. of holotype 46.2, max. diam. 17.6, alt. aperture 9.3 mm.
Type-Locality: 40 fms., 1 mile. off Cedros Village, Cedros Id., Baja California; M. W. Williams, May 1946.

Commentary: This extremely elegant little Murex belongs in the group of M. elenensis Dall and lividus Cpr. From the former it is distinguished by its more delicate, strongly recurved and less numerous spines, and the lineate color pattern; from the latter by its thick varices, longer spines, less tumid body-whorl, and decidedly smaller aperture.