Panulirus homarus is a species of spiny lobster that lives along the coasts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It lives in shallow water, and feeds on the brown mussel Perna perna. It typically grows to a length of 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in). Alongside the dark green nominate subspecies, two red subspecies are recognised, one around the Arabian Peninsula, and one around southern Africa. It is the subject of small-scale fishery.
The body of P. homarus can reach up to 31 centimetres (12 in) in total length, or a carapace length of 12 cm (4.7 in), but the average is around 20–25 cm (8–10 in).[2] There is variation in the colouration, which parallels other morphological differences; most animals are dark green and have only very small squamae in the grooves of the abdominal tergites. Other animals are red, and have much more prominent sculpturation in the grooves on the abdominal tergites.[3] The green form is known as the microsculpta form, and the red form as the megasculpta form
Three subspecies of P. homarus are recognised, with the marked difference between the microsculpta form and the megasculpta form of the animal being used to separate them.[3] Linnaeus' original description of the species was based on microsculpta material, so the nominate subspecies, P. h. homarus, is used for that subspecies. It is found throughout the species range.[3] The megasculpta form occurs in two distinct geographical areas, each of which is considered a separate subspecies: P. h. megasculpta in southern Arabia and Socotra, and P. h. rubellus off the coasts of Madagascar and Southern Africa.[3]
This female had roe around her belly and was carefully released into the water again. Caught on a small Sardine Fillet and hand line between the rocks targeting Cave Bass from South Pier Richards Bay Harbor.
The body of P. homarus can reach up to 31 centimetres (12 in) in total length, or a carapace length of 12 cm (4.7 in), but the average is around 20–25 cm (8–10 in).[2] There is variation in the colouration, which parallels other morphological differences; most animals are dark green and have only very small squamae in the grooves of the abdominal tergites. Other animals are red, and have much more prominent sculpturation in the grooves on the abdominal tergites.[3] The green form is known as the microsculpta form, and the red form as the megasculpta form
Three subspecies of P. homarus are recognised, with the marked difference between the microsculpta form and the megasculpta form of the animal being used to separate them.[3] Linnaeus' original description of the species was based on microsculpta material, so the nominate subspecies, P. h. homarus, is used for that subspecies. It is found throughout the species range.[3] The megasculpta form occurs in two distinct geographical areas, each of which is considered a separate subspecies: P. h. megasculpta in southern Arabia and Socotra, and P. h. rubellus off the coasts of Madagascar and Southern Africa.[3]
This female had roe around her belly and was carefully released into the water again. Caught on a small Sardine Fillet and hand line between the rocks targeting Cave Bass from South Pier Richards Bay Harbor.
