On Melanella stalioi (Brusina, 1869) (Gastropoda: Eulimidae)

We revise here the eulimid species Melanella stalioi (Brusina, 1869), discussing the past and recent literature by comparing the results with the type material characters. The still existing material consists of only one shell, which matches very well Brusina’s original description and his repeated statement that he found only one specimen during his whole life. We have concluded that no shell of M. stalioi has yet been known other than the type, and that its recently published images have to be reassigned to Vitreolina levantina Oliverio, Buzzurro and Villa, 1994, suggesting also that the latter be moved to Melanella Bowdich, 1822. Lack of any further record of M. stalioi after the type may suggest its non European origin; although this might be likely, we think it is premature to propose removing this species from the present Mediterranean molluscan fauna.