Davie, 1990
Diagnosis:
Lateral margin of carapace with distinct teeth behind anterolateral tooth. Rostrum transversely oval, wider than long. Antennular plate with stridulating organ. Posterior margin of pleura of abdominal somites 2 to 5 with a deep and abrupt excavation near the top, most distinct in somites 4 and 5. Total length to 27 cm.
Type:
Type locality of Palibythus magnificus: "off coast of Savaii, Western Samoa, trapped 220-275 m". Female holotype, QM, no. W 16402, 2 female paratypes, QM, no. W15941.
Geographical Distribution:
Central Pacific: W. Samoa and Tuamotu Archipelago.
Habitat and Biology:
Depth range between 220 and 300 m.
Size:
Carapace length in females 13.1 to 13.7 cm, corresponding with a total length of about 27 cm. Males unknown.
Interest to Fisheries:
So far none, as the species seems to be very rare and lives in deep water. The three females from Samoa were obtained in a fish trap, evidently during commercial or exploratory fishing.
Remarks:
The specimens from the Tuamotu Islands are only known from photographs, but were "almost definitely this species" (Davie, 1990: 688). |
