common spiny lobster
| Scientific name | Palinurus elephas |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Fabricius |
| Year of description | 1787 |
| IUCN category (World) | VU |
| Family | Palinuridae |
| Genus | Palinurus |
Introduction
Palinurus elephas, commonly known as common spiny lobster, is a salt water crustacea.
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Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size40 cm
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Maximum size50 cm
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Longevity25 year
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Patternmottling
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Mimicrycoral
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Average size40 cm
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Maximum size50 cm
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Longevity25 year
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Patternmottling
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Mimicrycoral
How to recognize the common spiny lobster ?
The common spiny lobster measures between 40 and 50 cm. this crustacea is bicolore with a predominantly rouge, marron and violet body. The also has blanc mottling.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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Sociabilityliving in small groups
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territorialNo
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VenomousNo
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Way of livingnocturnal
Like all crustaceans, The common spiny lobster molts whenever it becomes cramped in its shell. Before the hardening of its new body, it is more vulnerable and spends a good part of its time hidden. This mechanism, very complex, allows the periodic renewal of the exoskeleton and part of the internal skeleton. It is also during the moult that the females become fertile.
The common spiny lobster is a crustacea living in small groups naturally found on the bottom. This species is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency . this crustacea lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.
Although the common spiny lobster is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare
The common spiny lobster is a crustacea ovipare. this crustacea protects its eggs from nearby predators.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
Where to see this species?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature12 - 16 °C
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Depth5 - 200 m
Biotope presentation
The common spiny lobster is most often found at a depth between 5m and 200m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
This species lives in decaying vegetation (branches, leaves) in low current areas.
To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
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Aurélien Calas
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Where to see this species?
Scientific partners
Tags
Species of the same family