A review of the Recent Australian species of Merelina Iredale, 1915 (Caenogastropoda: Rissoidae)

Abstract

The four previously-named Australian species of the rissoid genus Merelina Iredale, 1915 are redescribed and illustrated. A neotype is designated for M. elegans (Angas, 1877) and this species and three others previously named are redescribed and illustrated. In addition, a further four new species are described; M. hirta n. sp. from SE Australia, M. cancellata n. sp. From Bass Strait and Tasmania, M. lordhowensis n. sp. from the islands and seamounts of the southern Lord Howe Rise plateau and M. norfolkensis n. sp. from Norfolk Island. Distributions and revised synonymies are given, along with a key to the Australian species and a list of all the Recent species of the genus.