THE RARE LOBSTER GENUS PALINUSTUS EDWARDS,A.MILNE, 1880 (DECAPODA, PALINURIDAE), WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES

The species of the rare spiny lobster genus Palinustus A. Milne Edward s, 1880, are reviewed, based on a total of 54 specimens. Although the characteristics used previously to separate the species are rather var iable, all 4 named species are nevertheless considered to be valid; wi th P. truncatus A. Milne Edwards, 1880, restricted to the western Atla ntic, P. mossambicus Barnard, 1926, known only with certainty from the eastern coast of Africa, while both P. waguensis Kubo, 1963, and P. u nicornutus Berry, 1979, are widely distributed in the Indo-West-Pacifi c. A new species, P. holthuisi, is found in Taiwan and Japan. The dist inguishing characteristics of all the species are described in detail, together with line drawings and photographs. The different species ha ve distinct coloration and color photographs of live or fresh specimen s are provided where possible. A key to the species is given for their identification.