Phylum Mollusca Linnaeus, 1758 - molluscs
   Class Gastropoda Cuvier, 1795 - snails and slugs
     Subclass Prosobranchia Milne-Edwards, 1848 - prosobranchs see Class Gastropoda Cuvier, 1795
       Order Neogastropoda Wenz, 1938 see Suborder Neogastropoda Wenz, 1938
         Suborder Stenoglossa Bouvier, 1887
           Superfamily Muricoidea Rafinesque, 1815
             Family Buccinidae Rafinesque, 1815 - whelks
               Subfamily Buccininae Rafinesque, 1815
                 Genus Japelion Dall, 1916
                   Subgenus Metajapelion Tiba & Kosuge, 1980