Linuparus meridionalis

Linuparus meridionalis is a species of spiny lobster in the genus Linuparus. It lives on the sea floor around Australia, New Caledonia and parts of Indonesia, at depths of 71–315 m (233–1,033 ft). Formerly considered part of , it was recognised as a separate species in 2011, based on variation in colouration, and subtle morphological differences.

Distribution and ecology[]

Linuparus meridionalis is found in at depths of 71–315 metres (233–1,033 ft) around the northern and eastern coasts of Australia, off New Caledonia, and among the Indonesian Tanimbar Islands.^[1] L. meridionalis is benthic (lives on the sea floor), and feeds on various molluscs, crustaceans and other invertebrates.^[1] Females may carry eggs at any time from February to October.^[1]

Description[]

Linuparus meridionalis males grow to a carapace length of 125 millimetres (4.9 in), with females only slightly smaller, at 122 mm (4.8 in).^[1] The body is "generally half brownish red and half white".^[1] The second to fifth somites of the abdomen are generally white, at least in the posterior half.^[1]

Taxonomy[]

Until 2011, L. meridionalis was considered part of . Doubts were expressed as early as 1967 that the two populations belonged to the same species, but no convincing character could be found to separate them.^[1] In 2011, it was formally described as a separate species by scientists from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and was given the specific epithet meridionalis, meaning "southern", since the new species occurs only in the Southern Hemisphere.^[1] L. meridionalis is separated from L. trigonus by the pattern of colours on the body, and by subtle differences in the shape of the sternum.^[1] The other two extant species of Linuparus are less closely related.^[1]

References[]