The issue regarding type species of the genus
Nassaria Link, 1807 is confusing. Cernohorsky (1981) and Fraussen (2006) assume “
Nassaria lyrata Link, 1807”. Considering other instances in Link (1807), this latter name is expected to represent a new combination for
Buccinum lyratum Gmelin, 1791, not as a separately available new taxon. Link’s (1807) original reference reads “N. lyrata. L. G. p. 3494. M.C. 4, t. 122, f. 1122, 1123“ [”L.G.” stands for Linnaeus, Gmelin edition and M.C. For Martini & Chemnitz’s “Conchylien Cabinet”]. Nevertheless, as pointed out by Mörch (1862), MacNeil (1961), and others, the two cited references are inconsistent. Gmelin’s
Buccinum lyratum is introduced on pp. 3494–3495, and currently considered as a synonym of
Boreotrophon clathratus (Linnaeus, 1767) whereas the reference to Martini & Chemnitz (1780), vol. 4, t. 122, f. 1122, 1123 matches
Buccinum album Gmelin, 1791, described on page 3495 with reference to the same figures. The vernacular name “Fischreuseschnecken” (a German translation of Nassa snails) used by Link matches “Fischreuse” used by Martini & Chemnitz for f. 1122, 1123, indicating that the latter was the species really intended. This is the rationale for the current interpretation, where
Nassaria lyrata Link, 1807 is considered an available name based on Martini & Chemnitz f. 1122, 1123 and objective junior synonym of Buccinum album Gmelin, 1791. ==Description==