Caribbean Spiny Lobster Facts
- This remarkable product of Nature and evolution most often goes by the informative common name of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster. It does have other titles, though. These include such terms as Bermuda Spiny Lobster and West Indian langouste.
- Within the scientific community, however, the amazing creature is perhaps better known by its technical moniker. Thankfully, that’s a comparatively simple appellation for the layperson to pronounce. That’s the designation of Panulirus argus.
- The Arthropod received that epithet due to the efforts of Pierre André Latreille. The respected French zoologist accomplished the original recognition of it as a separate and distinct species He further managed that scientifically noteworthy feat in 1804.
- Regrettably, the marvelous animal represents an extremely popular item of seafood for human consumption. To that end, prodigious numbers of the animal are killed each year, doubtless having a strong impact on the population of the species overall.
- Despite this, though, researchers have little confirmed information regarding this statistic, such as current population, downward trends, etc. Accordingly, the IUCN presently list the intriguing Caribbean Spiny Lobster as Data Deficient on its Red List.
- In addition to this concern, it also faces the same potential threats to the continuation of the species as all others on earth. Most of these stem from the actions of mankind. They include the related perils of habitat loss and ongoing climate change.
Related Articles
Caribbean Spiny Lobster Physical Description
The Caribbean Spiny Lobster represents yet another marvel of Nature’s collection. While garners much appreciation by those familiar with it, the species does not do so because of size. That’s true given the fact that it’s approximately average-sized for its kind.
Like many of those relations, though, it follows certain evolutionary patterns regarding its structure. Amolng these is the fact that it displays a certain amount of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its case, however, this shows in size alone.
More specifically, males of the Decapod achieve slightly greater average dimensions than their female counterparts. This trend also holds true in several different categories. As a general principle, the males typically have broader sternums and longer carapaces.
The differences remain relatively minor, however. Overall, members of this species reach a maximum known head-to-tail length of roughly 24 in (60 cm). Because of fishing practices, though, few specimens exceed 7.9 in (20 cm). Mass rarely goes beyond 15 lb (3.2 kg).
In general appearance, the intriguing Caribbean Spiny Lobster closely resembles its numerous relatives, with one exception. The body develops as elongated and cylindrical in shape. It most commonly shows either brown or olive-green, but can present other shades.
The legs have blue and yellow stripes, and end in a spine-like point. It also has one pair of antennae, generally longer than the body. Yet, it’s most distinctive feature is the one that it’s named for. It evolved a covering of forward pointing spines covering much of its shell.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Malacostraca
- Order: Decapoda
- Family: Palinuridae
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: P. argus
Caribbean Spiny Lobster Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The fascinating Caribbean Spiny Lobster evolved as endemic to a strangely unique and specific habitat range. That’s true due to the nature of that zone of habitation. In one way, it’s quite broad, yet, in another manner, its territorrial range remains highly restricted.
The impressive creature developed as native to part of the western Atlantic Ocean. At the same time, however, the animal only lives in a very narrow portion of this greater area. It only resides on the continental shelf, throughout the great majority of its extent.
To the north, this reaches as far as the coastal regions of North Carolina to Texas, in the United States, in North America. From there, that range runs to Bermuda, and on through the Caribbean Sea, to as far south as the offshore region of Brazil, in South America.
Evolution provided this fabulous Arthropod with a decidedly strong preference regarding its choice of habitat. Due to that, the animal appears in only very specific types of areas. Depending on its location, these mainly consist of mangrove swamps or coral reefs.
Since it lives on the continental shelf, it also dwells at shallow depths. It’s a rare individual, in fact, that lives at a depth of greater than 295 ft (90 m). The species additionally displays great favoritism for the warmer waters with tropical and sub-tropical temperatures.
Like many related animals, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster possesses a primarily nocturnal pattern of behavior. During the day, it hides in various locations, such as under ridges, in crevices, recess, under overhangs, or any similar undisturbed area available to it.
Though primarily carnivorous in nature, it does consume the occasional vegetable matter that comes its way. It principally feeds on various small molluscs. Yet, it also dines on detritus, such as the bodies of dead fish or animals that find their way to the local sea floor.
Species Sharing Its Range
Check out our other articles on 7 Magnificent West Coast Marvels, Moose, Orinoco River, Moon Orchid, Fire Salamander, Lime Butterfly, Indian Vulture, Aldabra Giant Totoise