Berry and George, 1972

Diagnosis:
Submarginal posterior groove of carapace much wider medially than laterally. Vestigial pleopods present on first abdominal segment of female.

Type:
Type locality: "N.E. of Bazaruto Island", Natal, South Africa, 234 m depth. Holotypefemale in BM, no. 1971:120; 2 paratypes BM, no.1971: 121; 2 paratypes RMNH, nos D 27137 and D27138 (all types in alcohol, condition good).

Geographical Distribution:
Off the east coast of Africa from Kenya to Natal, South Africa.

Habitat and Biology:
Depth range from 216 to 375; on rough substrate with sand and mud.

Size:
Maximum total bodylength about 35 cm, carapace length14 cm; average carapace length about 10 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
At present very minor. The species is not fished commercially in most of its range, but according to Ivanov and Krylov (1980: 286) it supports a commercial fishery in Tanzanian waters, where, off Zanzibar, catches of over 10 kg/h were taken by bottom trawls. The animals are mostly marketed fresh.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Crustacea
Order Decapoda
Suborder Macrura Reptantia
Superfamily Palinuroidea
Family Palinuridae
Genus Linuparus
Species Linuparus somniosus

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Linuparus somniosus Berry & George, 1972

Scientific synonyms and common names

Linuparus somniosus Berry and George, 1972

Synonyms:
Linuparus somniosus Berry and George, 1972, Zoologische Mededelingen, Leiden, 46: 18, text-fig. 1, pls 1,2.

In older literature the species was sometimes incorrectly identified as L. trigonus.

FAO Names:
African spear lobster [English]
Fr -Langouste javelot d'Afrique
Langosta jabalina africana [Spanish]

Local Names:
MOZAMBIQUE: Lagosta lanceira

Berry, P.F. and R.W. George, 1972. A new species of the genus Linuparus (Crustacea, Palinuridae) from South-East Africa. Zoölogische Mededelingen, Leiden, 46:17-23, text fig. 1, pls 1,2

Fischer, W. and G. Bianchi (eds), 1984. FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean (Fishing Area 51), vol. 5:pag.var.

Ivanov, B.G. and V.V. Krylov, 1980. Length-weight relationship in some common prawns and lobsters (Macrura, Natantia and Reptantia) from the western Indian Ocean. Crustaceana, 38:279-289

Williams, A.B., 1986. Lobsters - Identification, world distribution, and U.S. trade. Marine Fisheries Review, 48(2):1-36, figs 1-80

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