Processa bermudensis (Rankin, 1900)

(Fig. 4 E–F)

Material examined. male (pocl 3.6), inside eroded conch, Twin Cay, 16º49.358’N 88º06.369’W, leg. S. De Grave et al., fcn CBC063, 20 Febr. 2009, OUMNH.ZC.2009-01-012; 10 ov. females (pocl 4.4–5.3), 2 females (pocl 1.2–2.7), male (pocl 3.1), night sweep net over sparse seagrass bed, 1m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, 16º48.159’N 88º04.929’W, leg. S. De Grave et al., fcn CBC078, 20 Febr. 2009, USNM 1180786; 3 males (pocl 2.3–3.4), night sweep netting on Porites flat, 0.2 m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, 16º48.141’N 88º04.905’W, leg. S. De Grave et al., fcn CBC110, 21 Febr. 2009, USNM 1180786; 4 ov. females (pocl 4.5–5.0), female (pocl 3.6), night sweep net over sparse seagrass bed, 1m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, 16º48.159’N 88º04.929’W, leg. S. De Grave et al., fcn CBC135, 22 Febr. 2009, OUMNH.ZC.2009-01-015; 4 ov. females (pocl 4.0–5.1), female (pocl 4.5, with bopyrid), night sweep net over sparse seagrass bed, 1m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, 16º48.159’N 88º04.929’W, leg. S. De Grave et al., fcn CBC211, 24 Febr. 2009, OUMNH.ZC.2009-01-016; 2 ov. females (pocl 4.5, 5.0), night sweep net over sparse seagrass bed, 1m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, 16º48.159’N 88º04.929’W, leg. S. De Grave et al., fcn CBC214, 24 Febr. 2009, USNM 1180788; ov. female (pocl 3.9), night sweep net over sparse seagrass bed, 1m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, 16º48.159’N 88º04.929’W, leg. S. De Grave et al., fcn CBC215, 24 Febr. 2009, OUMNH.ZC.2009-01-018; male (pocl 3.2), from rotten wood, Twin Cays, leg D. Felder et al., 10 Apr. 2007, ULLZ 13927; ov. female (pocl 4.9), night sweep net over seagrass bed, leeward side of island, <1m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, 16º48.159’N 88º04.929’W, leg. D. Felder et al., photo voucher, 20 Febr. 2009, ULLZ 13921; male (pocl 3.1), night push net in seagrass bed, leeward side of island, <1m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, leg. D. Felder et al., photo voucher, 0 8 Febr. 2011, ULLZ 12619; 2 ov. females (pocl 4.0, 4.6), male (pocl 3.1), night push net in seagrass bed, leeward side of island, <1m deep, Carrie Bow Cay, leg. D. Felder et al., 0 8 Febr. 2011, ULLZ 12622.

Remarks. The current specimens closely match the re-description by Manning & Chace (1971), as for the most part do colour patterns in at least larger females (Fig. 4 E). It is perhaps noteworthy, however, that at least small males (Fig. 4 F) can lack most evidence of white chromatophores and more conspicuously exhibit red on the third maxillipeds, basal areas of pereiopods, along ventral margins of the abdominal pleura, and on the uropods. Most of the current specimens were obtained by nocturnal sampling of seagrass beds, as was the case in Honduras (De Grave et al., 2006) and Panama (SDG & AA, unpubl. obs.). In contrast to P. f i m b r i a t a, only two specimens of P. bermudensis were obtained during the day from creviscular habitats (eroded conch, rotten wood). In view of this observation, it is perhaps possible that during the day this species migrates to deeper water.

Distribution. Bermuda and North Carolina to Puerto Rico (Manning & Chace, 1971), Honduras (De Grave et al., 2006), Panama (AA & SDG, pers obs.), shallow water. Not previously recorded from Belize.