New Species of Melinna (Melinnidae, Annelida) from the Australian Abyss with Comments on M. albicincta, M. cristata and M. elisabethae Author Gunton, Laetitia M. Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia Author Zhang, William School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia Author Kupriyanova, Elena K. Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia & Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde NSW 2109, Australia Author Hutchings, Pat A. Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia & Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde NSW 2109, Australia text Records of the Australian Museum 2023 Rec. Aust. Mus. 2023-05-17 75 3 125 154 https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/e8272d60-8e4e-39f2-8628-298931690154/ journal article 10.3853/j.2201-4349.75.2023.1803 2201-4349 10414060 B746588B-E743-4FCB-85CF-6AF186B1D22B Melinna elisabethae McIntosh, 1885 Figs 13–15 ; Tables 4 , 5 Melinna elisabethae McIntosh, 1885: 438 ; 1914 106–107 (in part). For complete synonymy see Mackie & Pleijel, 1995 . Material examined . AM W.21793, 4 specimens , including prepared for SEM , Cleveland , Tees Bay , England ( 54°36'N 1°48'W ), gravelly mud/rock, 44 m , coll. Analytical & Environmental Services , 7 September 1984 . Remarks The original description by Mackie & Pleijel (1995) only provided line drawings, we give additional information based on light and SEM images. Prostomium well­developed and divided into anterior and posterior parts, anterior part trilobed ( Fig. 15B ), posterior part raised triangular glandular with anterior margin bearing longitudinal slits ( Fig. 15B ). Buccal tentacles numerous and equal in length to the branchiae ( Fig. 13B ). Four pairs of branchiae annulated with distal surface exhibiting cilia patches ( Fig. 14A,C ). Branchiae circular in cross­section, anterior pair showing 40% of basal fusion and outer pair 20% fusion ( Figs 13B,C , 14C ). One pair of dorsal hooks strongly curved and with pointed tips ( Figs 13B,D,E , 14B,C ), solid without internal canal. Dorsal membrane with about 12 triangular projections on anterior margin ( Figs 13E , 14A ). First segment achaetous ( Fig. 14A ) with crenulated ventral margin ( Fig. 15B ). Segments 2–5 with acicular neurochaetae arranged in elongated tori, progressively inserted more laterally ( Fig. 13B,C ). From segment 6 neuropodia with uncini continuing to pygidium. Notopodia present from segment 4, initially very small with short notochaetae, then progressively becoming larger, more laterally inserted and well­developed by segment 7 ( Figs 13D , 14A , 15C ) and on all subsequent ones. Notochaetae arranged in two tiers ( Fig. 14H ) with tips of longer ones curved ( Fig. 15A ) and with blades finely ornamented ( Figs 14F,H , 15A,E ). Notopodia globular with posterior lobe longer than anterior one ( Fig. 14D,E,F ) and well separated from neuropodia ( Figs 14E , 15C ). Thoracic neuropodia raised glandular tori slightly curved, bearing about 26 uncini ( Fig. 14E ). Thoracic uncini with a single row of four teeth with ornamentation on lateral face and becoming marked and behind anterior tooth strongly ornamented with small teeth ( Figs 14G , 15D,F ). Abdominal rudimentary notopodia not observed as in Mackie & Pleijel (1995) , specimens very small and thin ( Fig. 15G ).Abdominal neuropodia well­developed but not elevated, anteriorly bearing four teeth arranged in a single row ( Fig. 15H,I ). Terminal anus bounded by pair of large lateral lobes and several smaller lateral ones ( Fig. 13a ) and lacking anal cirri. Methyl blue stain shows extensive ventral glandular areas ( Fig. 13F ). Tube with attached shell fragments on anterior end and rest of tube made of smaller sand grains and mud ( Fig. 13G ).