TYPE MATERIAL Holotype (MNHN-IM-2000-33575) dim. 3.75 x 1.10 mm. Protoconch 0.40 x 0.23 mm. stn GM06. Paratype 1 (MNHN-IM-2000-33576) dim. 3.01 x 1.10 mm. Protoconch 0.35 0.21 mm. stn GM06. TYPE LOCALITY Caribbean: Guadeloupe, Îlet Fortune, 1 m.
DISTRIBUTION Guadeloupe, Martinique.
DESCRIPTION Shell medium in size, conical, sutures impressed well highlighted by colored band. Protoconch coni- cal of about 4.5 smooth convex whorls, color pale yellowish, transparent. Teleoconch of 8 whorls with reticulate sculpture of 3 equal spiral cords crossed by weaker axial ribs, about 20 on last whorl, 1st and 2nd cords are closer in the first 2 whorls; beads at each intersection. A fourth beaded cord is emerging at the base of the last whorl from the insertion of the outer lip; border between columella and base highlighted by a weak cord. Columella short and broad, obliquely truncated, with a surface crossed by thin crisp threads, columellar callus bordering an oval aperture; anal sulcus and siphonal canal well defined. Background color yellow with 1" cord and suture red brown. COMPARISON Cerithiopsis bakisi n. sp. is very similar to Cerithiopsis familiarum Rolán, Espinosa & Fernandez-Garcés, 2007, from which it differs by its smooth protoconch without any sculpture. It is also compared with some shells with similar color: Cerithiopsis michezae n. sp., here reported, differs by its sculptured protoconch and the color band limited to the first spiral cord, Cerithiopsis dilata and Cerithiopsis iuxtafuniculata both Rolán, Espinosa & Fernandez-Garcés, 2007 and Cerithiopsis cruzana Nowell-Usticke, 1959, have an evident subcylindrical protoconch and C. dilata and C. cruzana also have the sutures marked by a thin thread.
ETYMOLOGY Named after Rodolphe Bakis, chief officer of the harbour at the Naval Base that hosted the Martinique expedition, and who facilitated the use of their infrastructures.