Kermia melanoxytum (Hervier, 1896)

Figs 27–29

Glyphostoma melanoxytum: Hervier 1896 a: 150; 1896 b: 78, pl. 3, fig. 19. Type locality: Lifou.

Kermia melanoxytum (Hervier): Kay 1979: 361, figs 117F (protoconch), 118J; Zhang 1995: 290, pl. 4, figs 23–24; Chang 2001: 72, figs 65, 65b, and p. 212, figs 19–16a, b.

Type material: Originally ten syntypes from Hervier collection in SML; three probable syntypes now in MNHN, one labelled by Fischer-Piette as “Type” 4.6×2.0 mm, early part of protoconch missing; unconfirmed syntypes AMSA C.7019.

Regional locality data: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal : E of Kosi Bay, - 50 m, fine sand (Kilburn et al.; NMSA E5348) ; Kosi Bay, 1–4 km S of mouth, - 20–22 m (D. Herbert & K. Bloem; NMSA S775) ; off Island Rock, - 62 m, sandstone, coral (Kilburn et al.; NMSA E5551) ; Leadsman Shoal, 1–2 km N of Leven Point, - 9–14 m, mixed algal and coral reef (D. Herbert; NMSA E5375) ; off Sodwana Bay, talus slope, - 46 m (Marine Geoscience Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban; NMSA V5072) ; Aliwal Shoal, off Scottburgh, - 10 m, reef debris (D. Herbert; NMSA S9237) ; same data but - 25–27 m (D. Herbert; NMSA S7131); off Park Rynie, - 35–40 m, offshore reef (G. Smith; NMSA S9857) . Beach-worn shells also seen in private collection from Mzamba, Eastern Cape .

Distribution: New Caledonia to Hawaii, and west to south-eastern Africa, as far south as Eastern Cape.

Remarks: Specimen NMSA S775 (Fig. 29) has been compared with one of the “ syntypes ” (Figs 27, 28) in the MNHN.