Merinida

*Merinida* is a moderately large genus of microscopic sea snails endemic to Corinia and Noritia in the family Merinidiidae. They are often referred to as **gem snails** due to their highly variable and colorful patterns. Their variability makes them hard to distinguish, and many species are only distinguishable by genetic testing.

## Description

Each species varies greatly in color, size, and shape, though most do not exceed 1 cm. Most species have a dark body with a high-spired shell. The body is not often visible, and is dwarfed by the size of their shell. Their shells are often detailed and have an intricate sculpture, but species of the subgenus *Ooidoides* are often smooth and round. Colors and patterns of the shells can vary greatly, but are often bright to match the colors of the algae, sand, or corals.

## Range

The entire genus is endemic to the coasts of Corinia and Noritia. Some species live as far north as Malágon in Corinia, while others live as far east as Kalthir Bay in Noritia. Dotému Atoll in Corinia hosts the most species, with up to 13 species being located here. Some species may be found in the waters of other countries, but are likely because of introduction.

They are often found in reefs, seagrass beds, or at the shore on intertidal rocks. They often hide on the seafloor or under objects.

## Species

As of 5327, the subgenus *Scriptorus* has been promoted to genus.

Subgenus *Algobates*

* *Merinida (Algobates) akham*
* *Merinida (Algobates) aleti*
* *Merinida (Algobates) aparensis*
* *Merinida (Algobates) arenaria*
* *Merinida (Algobates) coniforma*
* *Merinida (Algobates) culminicola*
* †*Merinida (Algobates) eos*
* *Merinida (Algobates) etoensis*
* *Merinida (Algobates) ija-kozliensis*
* *Merinida (Algobates) insularis*
* *Merinida (Algobates) mephista*
* *Merinida (Algobates) plesicerithium*
* †*Merinida (Algobates) stazii*
* *Merinida (Algobates) stizoni*
* *Merinida (Algobates) trapezus*
* *Merinida (Algobates) turris*
* *Merinida (Algobates) utunensis*
* *Merinida (Algobates) versicolor*

Subgenus *Ammosamimus*

* *Merinida (Ammosamimus) hastam*
* *Merinida (Ammosamimus) micropeltes*
* *Merinida (Ammosamimus) nanus*

Subgenus *Aspera*

* *Merinida (Aspera) berula*
* *Merinida (Aspera) dotemuensis*
* *Merinida (Aspera) gemmatus*
* *Merinida (Aspera) kachinasi*
* †*Merinida (Aspera) parumatakeiensis*
* *Merinida (Aspera) rubra*
* *Merinida (Aspera) truncata*
* *Merinida (Aspera) wirnii*
* *Merinida (Aspera) yadavusi*

Subgenus *Cuniculum*

* *Merinida (Cuniculum) rara*
* *Merinida (Cuniculum) pallidus*
* *Merinida (Cuniculum) pedicula*
* *Merinida (Cuniculum) nigrolabrum*
* *Merinida (Cuniculum) multilineata*
* *Merinida (Cuniculum) caeruleum*
* *Merinida (Cuniculum) brevis*
* *Merinida (Cuniculum) garrula*
* *Merinida (Cuniculum) ziczac*

†Subgenus *Dodecabucina*

* †*Merinida (Dodecabucina) diplocostus*
* †*Merinida (Dodecabucina) trochiformis*

Subgenus *Inzona*

* *Merinida (Inzona) ramikii*
* †*Merinida (Inzona) zonatus*

Subgenus *Maurgesia*

* *Merinida (Maurgesia) paraphema*

Subgenus *Ooidoides*

* *Merinida (Ooidoides) alba*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) amnediua*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) diamentius*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) discalus*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) giraffa*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) pediada*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) prasinus*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) quinquenodulus*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) gelasinus*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) planatus*
* *Merinida (Ooidoides) sabulo*

Subgenus *Vattu*

* *Merinida (Vattu) oryza*
* *Merinida (Vattu) pachytestus*

Subgenus *Yenia*

* *Merinida (Yenia) caviara*
* *Merinida (Yenia) kalbagensis*
* *Merinida (Yenia) merinida*
* *Merinida (Yenia) neoartefensis*
* *Merinida (Yenia) rosea*
* *Merinida (Yenia) tormica*