Diodora crucifera (Pilsbry, 1890)

Fissurella cruciata (non Gould, 1846) Krauss, 1848: 67, pl. 4, fig. 9. G.B. Sowerby (III), 1892: 47. Type loc.: ‘ In litore natalensi ’ [on the shore of Natal]; lectotype in SMNS (MT 111), designated by Janus (1961: 2).

Glyphis crucifera Pilsbry, 1890: 225, pl. 32, figs 27–31 [replacement name for Fissurella cruciata (non Gould, 1846) Krauss, 1848]. E.A. Smith, 1903a: 391.

Diodora crucifera — Tomlin, 1932: 160. Barnard, 1963a: 293. Kensley, 1973: 29, fig. 33. Christiaens, 1974: 94. Richards, 1981: 33, pl. 7, fig. 37. Kilburn & Rippey, 1982: 35, pl. 6, fig. 6. Christiaens, 1987: 35. Drivas & Jay, 1988: 32, pl. 1, fig. 1. Steyn & Lussi, 1998: 10, fig. 14.

Diodora (Diodora) crucifera — Janus, 1961: 2, pl. 1, figs 1–3.

Distribution. Northern and western Indian Ocean to E. Cape (southern Transkei, occasionally reaching Port Alfred); beach-drift to 300 m (living from LST to 85 m).

Notes. The distribution of this species and its relationships to other elongate species of Diodora described from the Indian Ocean require further study. Christiaens (1987) cited localities widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, but was unsure whether one or more species might be involved.