Panulirus penicillatus (Olivier, 1791)
Pronghorn spiny lobster
photo by Auscape International

Family:  Palinuridae (spiny lobsters)
Max. size:  40 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 200 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  It has lengths of 40 cm, maximum total body length; 30 cm, average adult length; Males are usually larger than females (Ref. 4). Maximum depth from Ref. 105425. Occurs at a depth range of 1 to 4 m on rocky substrates. It is usually found in clear waters often in surf zones and in surge channels; often near arid coasts and on small islands. The species is not gregarious and is nocturnal, hiding in the daytime in crevices in the rocks and coral reefs (Ref. 4) and moving at night to surge channels at the reef edge and into shallow reef flats (Ref. 84816). Primarily inhabits outer reef slopes (Refs. 84816, 106196). On rocky subtidal zone. Found in groups of more than 20 in submerged caves and lava tunnels during the day (Ref. 106199). In general, palinurids are mainly carnivores, usually feeding upon sluggish, easily captured animals where most material is eaten alive or freshly killed (Ref. 105260). Associated with a pedunculate barnacle (Ref. 105259).
IUCN Red List Status: (LC); Date assessed: 03 December 2009 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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