GNS Science

Revised descriptions of New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca from Beu and Maxwell (1990)

New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca

Genus Merelina Iredale, 1915



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(Pl. 54a): Merelina avita Marwick, 1928; GS12163, CH/fl3B, Motutapu Point, Pitt Island, Chathams (Waipipian) (apex showing spirally keeled protoconch with terminal varix, and teleoconch microsculpture of spiral threads).
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(Pl. 54d): Merelina avita Marwick, 1928; GS12163, CH/fl3B, Motutapu Point, Pitt Island, Chathams (Waipipian)
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(Pl. 54e): Merelina avita Marwick, 1928; GS12163, CH/fl3B, Motutapu Point, Pitt Island, Chathams (Waipipian)

Beu & Maxwell (1990): Chapter 17; p. 378; pl. 54 a,d,e.

Classification: Rissoidae: Rissoinae

Description: Height 1.35-4.4 mm, elongate-ovate, relatively solid. Protoconch of about 1.5 whorls with sculpture of few, prominent nodulose cords. Teleoconch sculpture typically clathrate, in many species with small nodules at intersections of axial and spiral elements, some species with microsculpture of fine spiral threads. Aperture subcircular, peristome duplicated; outer lip opisthocline, with well developed varix.

Comparison: See Alvania (Linemera).

Distribution: Waitakian-Recent, New Zealand; Recent, Australia, tropical western Pacific, East Africa (Ponder 1985, p. 73). Most modern records of Merelina are from shallow waters, but some species occur in the upper part of the bathyal zone.


Cite this publication as: "A.G. Beu and J.I. Raine (2009). Revised descriptions of New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca from Beu and Maxwell (1990). GNS Science miscellaneous series no. 27."
© GNS Science, 2009
ISBN 978-0-478-19705-1
ISSN 1177-2441
(Included with a PDF facsimile file copy of New Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin 58 in CD version from: Publications Officer, GNS Science, P.O. Box 30368 Lower Hutt, New Zealand)

References

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