Bruce, 1965

Diagnosis:
Submarginal posterior groove of carapace as wide medially as laterally. Epistomal ridges coarsely granulated, without acute well developed anterior tooth. No pleopods on first abdominal segment of female. Chitinous margin of male genital aperture with toothed median border and entire lateral border.

Type:
Type locality: "South China Sea, 19°40.0'N 113°41.0'E to19°39.5'N 113°36.0'E, 182-172 fathoms [ = 315-333 m), coarsesand". Holotype female in BM, no. 1965.5.21.1 (in alcohol, condition fair); paratype in RMNH, no D 21213 (in alcohol, condition good).

Geographical Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific region: Taiwan, South China Sea and N.W. Australia (off Port Hedland, Western Australia).

Habitat and Biology:
Depth range from 200 to 333 m; bottom mud and limestone rocks.

Size:
The total body length (including the antennae) of the holotype is 38 cm, carapace length 7 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
None at present. However, the size of the specimens and the fact that they occur in not very deep wate, suggest that, once the right fishing grounds have been found, the species may be commercially exploited, like L. trigonus.

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

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Linuparus sordidus Bruce, 1965

Scientific synonyms and common names

Linuparus sordidus Bruce, 1965

Synonyms:
Linuparus sordidus Bruce, 1965, Zoologische Mededelingen, Leiden, 41(1): 1, text-fig. 1, pls.1, 2.

FAO Names:
Oriental spear lobster [English]

Local Names:
AUSTRALIA: Spear lobster.

Bruce, A.J., 1965a, A new species of the genus Linuparus White, from the South China Sea (Crustacea Decapoda). Zoölogische Mededelingen, Leiden, 41(1): 1, text-fig. l, pls.1, 2

George, R.W., 1983. New finds of deepwater "Lobsters" on the Northwest shelf. Fins, Fishery News Western Australia, 16(1):16-20, 5 figs

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

No distribution map was available at OBIS the last time we checked. Retry now.

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