Sharks of the World
Author: L.B. Holthuis
Search
Scientific name:

Palinurus charlestoni

Vernacular name:

Cape Verde spiny lobster, Langouste de Cap Vert, Langosta de Cabo Verde


Use the links below to jump to previous and next taxa in a text browser:
Linuparus trigonus - Japanese spear lobster
Palinurus delagoae - Natal spiny lobster
Palinurus delagoae - Langouste du Natal
Palinurus delagoae - Langosta del Natal

Forest and Postel, 1964

Diagnosis:
Carapace in adult male not swollen. Frontal horns with inner margins and anterior margin of carapace forming a V-shaped line. Carpus of first male leg with anterodorsal spine. Propodus of first pereiopod of male without anterodorsal spine. Abdominal somites with a single distinct transverse groove.
Colour a pink or reddish marbled with white; abdominal somites irregularly marbled. Legs ringed with whitish and pink.

Type:
Type locality: "Iles du Cap Vert, groupe nord, de St. Vincent à Sal, entre 180 et 200 m". Holotype male in MP, no. Pa. 331; paratype in MP, Pa. 84, Pa. 330; RMNH D. 19544. All type material in alcohol, in excellent condition.

Geographical Distribution:
So far known only from Cape Verde Islands.

Habitat and Biology:
Depth range from 50 to 300 m, perhaps deeper: on an uneven rocky bottom, sometimes on steep slopes.

Size:
Maximum total body length to 50 cm, average length to 40 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
Minor. In 1963 the, first attempts were made for a commercial fishery, using lobster pots. In the most productive areas, two lobsters were caught per pot per day. Due to the rough bottom,the loss of pots was rather substantial. Longhurst (1970: 277) reported actual landings of 10 to 20 tons.

Palinurus charlestoni
Description provides information about characters, distribution and habitat of the selected species or higher group. You can search using vernacular or scientific name.
Langosta de Cabo Verde
General introduction, overview of the species treated and functionality of the site
A tree, picture gallery and alphabetical lists provide access to the species and higher groups
Descriptions of species
Descriptions of higher groups
Identification keys
Glossary
Literature references
Concise explanation of the BIS program
Authors of and contributors to this project
Return to the main index of the World Biodiversity Database