Conassiminea, a new genus of the Assimineidae (Caenogastropoda: Rissooidea) from Southeastern Australia

Abstract

A new genus of Assimineidae, Conassiminea, is described from estuarine habitats in southeastern Australia (New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria). Two new species, C. studderti and C. zheni, are included in the genus, the former being the type species. Conassiminea is distinct from all other assimineid genera in two autapomorphies in the female reproductive system: the seminal receptacle has two ducts and the bursal duct is extremely wide. The phylogenetic relationships of the new genus were examined using a morphological dataset. © The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Studies on behalf of The Malacological Society of London, all rights reserved.