Panulirus versicolor

''Panulirus versicolor'' is a species of spiny lobster that lives in tropical reefs in the Indo-Pacific. Other names include painted lobster, common rock lobster, bamboo lobster, blue lobster, and blue spiny lobster. ''P. versicolor'' is one of the three most common varieties of spiny lobster in Sri Lanka, alongside '' Panulirus homarus'' and '' Panulirus ornatus''.

Etymology

The genus name ''Panulirus'' derives from the Greek word ''palin'' (meaning ''backwards'') and ''oura'' (meaning ''tail'' and can be translated into ''which stands with the tail folded under the abdomen''. The species name ''versicolor'' is a Latin word meaning ''of different colors''.

Morphology

''Panulirus versicolor'' grows up to long, but is typically no more than . It has no claws, two spiny rostra over the eyes, and two pairs of large antennae, like all spiny lobsters. The first pair of antennae are double ended, the second hard and spiny, both are usually white. The carapace is cylindrical, made of chitin, very solid and not extensible. The coloration is white, pink and black, with horizontal bands and a reticule. The abdomen is green with transverse black and white bands. The legs are dark blue to black with white stripes and the tail is blue-green. The tail is made up of five yellowish appendages yellowish at its base, with an apical blue area and a white margin. Also juveniles have a bright blue coloration with white lines, while the base of the antennas is white instead of pink. This species is rather similar to '' Panulirus femoristriga'' and '' Panulirus longipes''.

Biology and behaviour

In ''P. versicolor'' the reproduction usually takes place in summer, but it can happen all year around. Mating occurs belly to belly after a love parade. The spermatophore released by the males adheres to the female's sternum for several weeks. Females carry their eggs, about several hundred thousand, under their abdomen. A long oceanic larval phase follows, with several moults. These spiny lobster are nocturnal and solitary. In the daytime they hide in small caves and crevices in reefs or under coral. They are carnivores, eating both carrion and fresh caught arthropods, other crustaceans, and occasional small fish.

Geographic distribution

''Panulirus versicolor'' is present in the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. In the Indian Ocean it occurs from as far south on the east coast of Africa as Natal, up through the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, in the Arabian Sea across to India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia, down through Indonesia to the waters of north-western Australia. In the western and central Pacific, it occurs as far north as southern Japan, throughout Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia and in the waters of north-eastern Australia.Page J. 2013. First record of the painted spiny lobster Panulirus versicolor (Latrielle, 1804) in coastal Georgia, USA. BioInvasions Records (REABIC). 2(2):149-152.

A single ''P. versicolor'' was found in shallow coastal waters of Georgia, United States, in 2012. Likely deliberately released as an adult or unintentionally transported as a larva in a cargo ship's ballast water, it was the first specimen reported in the U.S. and the Atlantic Ocean.

Habitat

This species occurs in the shallow tropical waters, in coral reef ecosystems and on seaward edges of the reef plateau, at depths up to .

Economic uses

''Panulirus versicolor'' is very commercially exploited, which has led to its rarefaction or even disappearance in many places; however, as its range is large and includes many protected areas, the species is not considered to be globally threatened. It is used as a food source throughout its range. ''P. versicolor'' is also kept in home aquariums. Sustainably farmed aquarium products from the Western Province, Solomon Is." World Wildlife Fund
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Gallery

File: Palinuridae - Panulirus versicolor (Painted Spiny Lobster).jpg, ''Panulirus versicolor'' in Maldives. Side view
File: Painted lobster on Pom Pom Island, Celebes resort, Sabah.JPG, ''P. versicolor'' in Pom Pom Island. Dorsal view
File:LobsterJI1.jpg, Front view

References

External links

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{{Taxonbar, from=Q2523262

Achelata
Edible crustaceans
Crustaceans described in 1804