Murex

Murex is a genus of medium to large sized predatory tropical sea snails. These are carnivorous marine gastropod molluscs in the family Muricidae, commonly called "murexes" or "rock snails".

The common name murex is still used for a large number of species in the family Muricidae which were originally given the Latin generic name Murex in the past, but have more recently been regrouped into different newer genera.

The word murex was used by Aristotle in reference to these kinds of snails, thus making it one of the oldest classical seashell names still in use by the scientific community.

Fossil records

This genus is known in the fossil records from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary (age range: from 125.45 to 0.0 million years ago). Fossils of species within this genus have been found all over the world. There are about 25 extinct species.

Distribution

Murex is solely an Indo-Pacific genus, as demonstrated by Ponder & Vokes (1988). The species from the western Atlantic that were formerly considered to belong in the genus Murex are now placed in the genus Haustellum.

Murex (company)

Murex Limited was a leading British provider of services to metallurgists, smelters and refiners, and welders. It was an original constituent of the FT 30 index of leading stocks on the London Stock Exchange.

History

Murex was founded in 1909 as an iron founder and a ferroalloy manufacturer. The company moved to Rainham, Essex in 1917.

In the 1930s, Murex made large quantities of electrodes at their factory in Waltham Cross, and many ships including HMS Ark Royal and Queen Elizabeth 2 have been welded using Murex equipment.

The business was sustained by a high level of activity during World War II, but after the war ended, its profits reduced substantially.

It fell out of the FT 30 index in 1967 when its share price declined, and it was replaced by Beechams.

Welding equipment made by Murex occasionally comes up for sale.

Demise of the business

Murex was acquired by the BOC Group in 1967. In the UK, the rights to the Murex brand were sold to ESAB.

Murex Limited was officially dissolved on 11 June 2013.

Murex (disambiguation)

Murex is a genus of medium to large sized predatory tropical sea snails.

Murex may also refer to: