« Shell small, rather conical, with the apex acuminate, of a milky colour tending to yellowish. It is made of six rounded whorls with seven longitudinal ribs, transversely striated and armed with triangular digits furrowed on one of the sides. The aperture is ovate, white, with a serrated lip and five tubercles inside; the tail is short, the channel open. » – Aradas & Benoit: “Conchigliologia vivente marina della Sicilia”, Atti dell’Accademia Gioenia di Scienze Naturali in Catania ser. 3 vol. VI, Catania 1870, Murex diadema p. 271.

« Shell of a shape similar to that of M. trunculus, of which dir could be the young. But it is naturally so small, and yet complete and well developed. It consists of 4 whorls of spire, the first of which is smooth and roubndish; the other ones are adorned with 3 large transversal folds and with 8 large longitudinal varices, which in the superior part extend in a big and sharp, almost vertical spine, a little curved towards the center of the whorl; which thorns constitute a very relevant and characteristic crown. Aperture triangular; outer lip angular; channel a little bent. » – O. G. Costa: Microdoride mediterranea, Napoli 1861, Murex spinulosus p.56-57.