Leucosyrinx melvilli ( Schepman, 1913 ), 2025

Kantor, Yuri I., Fedosov, Alexander & Puillandre, Nicolas, 2025, Revision of the Indo-Pacific species of the genus Leucosyrinx Dall, 1889 (Neogastropoda: Conoidea: Pseudomelatomidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 999, pp. 1-126 : 98

Leucosyrinx melvilli ( Schepman, 1913) comb. nov.

Fig. 17I–J

Surcula melvilli Schepman, 1913: 422 , pl. 27 fig. 7.

Comitas melvilli – Powell 1969: 269 (23-281), pl. 217 figs 6–7. — Sysoev 1997: 347.

Type material

Syntypes

TIMOR SEA • 2 specs; 10°48.6′ S, 123°23.1′ E; depth 918 m; Siboga , stn 300; NATURALIS, ZMA. MOLL.174487, ZMA.MOLL.137982 ( Fig. 17I–J ) • 1 spec.; near Kei Is.; 5°53.8′ S, 132°48.8′ E; depth 560 m; Siboga , stn 262; NATURALIS, ZMA.MOLL.137981 .

Remarks

Schepman (1913) did not designate the holotype, and mentioned three specimens in the original description. Nevertheless, Schepman specified that “The specimen from stn 262 is a smaller, much worn shell, of somewhat doubtful character” (560 m, near Kei Is., 5°53.8′ S, 132°48.8′ E, Siboga stn 262). It should be considered that Schepman expressly excluded it from the type series (Art. 72.4.1 of ICZN). He provided the measurements for a single specimen (SL 62 mm), which was also illustrated on pl. 27 fig. 7. The same specimen is illustrated herein.

The shell shape, sculpture pattern, and the shape of the subsutural anal sinus fit well within the variability observed in the species of Leucosyrinx as defined here. This species exhibits similarities to Leucosyrinx jeedara from Australia, albeit with notable differences in size (up to 62 mm versus 31 mm), a lower last whorl, a taller spire, and a cream coloration. Given that the anal sinus shape aligns more closely with species of Leucosyrinx than with Comitas , we propose transferring the species to the former genus.

Distribution

Timor Sea, 918 m.

Figures

Fig. 17. A–E. Leucosyrinx thisbe (E.A. Smith, 1906). A–B. Holotype, ZSI, M 1233/1, SL 44 m (from the site of ZSI, https://zsicollections.in/specimen/ZSI0000003967). C–E. MNHN-IM-2009-16821, Solomon Is., 1230–1306 m, SL 75.1 mm. F–H. Leucosyrinx sp. 13, MNHN-IM-2009-13552, northern New Caledonia, 600–1100 m, SL 39.6 mm. I–J. Leucosyrinx melvilli (Schepman, 1913), syntype, NATURALIS, ZMA.MOLL.137982, SL 62 mm (photo courtesy of NATURALIS). All shells at the same scale.