Processa hawaiensis Dana 1852

Processa hawaiensis (Dana, 1852)

Fig. 7 A

Nika hawaiensis Dana, 1852: 20.

Processa hawaiensis.—Rathbun, 1906: 912.—Chace, 1962: 616.—Hayashi, 1975: 106, figs. 22–23.—Bruce, 1976: 60 (sic hawaiiensis).—Alvarez et al., 1996: 721, fig. 5.—Ayón-Parente et al., 2012: 65, figs. 1–3. Processa paucirostris Edmondson, 1930: 3, fig. 1.

Material examined. French Polynesia: 1 male (pocl 1.6), FLMNH UF 23279, Moorea, Papetoai, fringing reef with sand flat, 0–3 m, night snorkel, -17.4911 -149.886, leg. S. McPherson, M. Wright, C. Meyer & A. Anker, 0 6.12.2009 [BMOO-10183, BIZ-243]; 1 male (pocl 1.7), FLMNH UF 24375, Moorea, north of Motu Ahe, sandflat with live coral heads, 1–3 m, hand collecting, -17.5496 -149.776, leg. C. Meyer, K. White, S. El-Tourky & J.

Thomas, 0 9.12.2009 [BMOO-10327, BIZ-262]; 1 male (pocl 1.4), FLMNH UF 23280, Moorea, Atiha Bay, inside barrier reef, under and on rocks and rubble, 0.5–1 m, hand collecting, -17.5957 -149.8456, leg. S. McPherson, G. Paulay & C. Meyer, 0 8.12.2009 [BMOO-10096, BIZ-257].

Colour pattern. Semitransparent with small white spots on posterior half of abdomen; red chromatophores on frontal margin of carapace near rostral base; small patch of white chromatophores on each eyestalk; walking legs mostly transparent (Fig. 7 A).

Remarks. The French Polynesian material closely adheres to the description of Hayashi (1975), with the rudimental exopod on the third maxilliped and the short, simple rostrum being diagnostic for the species.

Ecology. On the basis of the present records and scattered information in the literature (summarised in Hayashi, 1975), P. hawaiensis seems to frequent coral reefs rather than seagrass beds, usually in coral rubble. The depth range appears to be around 0– 5 m.

Distribution. This species is currently known from a widely disjunct distribution in the Indo-Pacific, being primarily recorded from the central and eastern Pacific: Maui and Oahu (Hawaii), Clipperton Island (Hayashi 1975), Nayarit and Jalisco (Mexico) (Alvarez et al. 1996; Ayón-Parente et al. 2012) and now also French Polynesia (present study). However, the species is also known from the western Indian Ocean, e.g., Kenya and Zanzibar (Hayashi 1975; Bruce 1976).