Jasus edwardsii

Jasus edwardsii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Family: Palinuridae
Genus: Jasus
Species:
J. edwardsii
Binomial name
Jasus edwardsii
(Hutton, 1875)
Synonyms[2]
  • Jasus novaehollandiae Holthuis, 1963
  • Palinurus edwardsii Hutton, 1875

Jasus edwardsii, the southern rock lobster, red rock lobster, or spiny rock lobster, is a species of spiny lobster found throughout coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand including the Chatham Islands. It is commonly called crayfish in Australia and New Zealand and kōura in Māori.[3] They resemble lobsters, but lack the large characteristic pincers on the first pair of walking legs.

Spiny rock lobsters are carnivorous, leaving their rock cover to venture out to feed during the night. They live in and around reefs at depths ranging from 5–200 metres (16–660 ft) deep at the continental shelf.[4] They can be dark red and orange above with paler yellowish abdomens or grey-green brown with the paler underside. The more tropical animals tend to have the brighter colours. Adult carapaces can grow up to 230 millimetres (9.1 in) in length and can often exceed 8 kilograms (18 lb) in underfished areas.

  1. ^ MacDiarmid, A.; Butler, M.; Cockcroft, A.; Wahle, R. (2011). "Jasus edwardsii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T170025A6711779. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T170025A6711779.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Tin-Yam Chan (2010). "Jasus edwardsii (Hutton, 1875)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  3. ^ John C. Moorfield. "kōura". Māori Dictionary Online. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  4. ^ Lipke B. Holthuis (1991). "Jasus (Jasus) edwardsii". Marine Lobsters of the World. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125. Vol. 13. Food and Agriculture Organization. p. 97. ISBN 978-92-5-103027-1. Archived from the original on 10 September 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)