Holthuis, 1960

Diagnosis:
Fourth segment of antenna with 7 teeth on the outer margin (apical tooth not included). Squamiform tubercles on upper surface of carapace blunt and appressed. The posterior of the two lateral teeth of the carapace before the cervical incision smaller than the first. Legs short and robust. The transverse groove which separates two parts of the abdominal somites is narrow and filled with many short hairs. The median carinae of the second and third abdominal somites are usually almost level with the surface of the somites. Anterior part of the second to fifth abdominal somites, which disappears under the previous somite when the abdomen is fully stretched, carries distinct tubercles.

Type:
Type locality: "Ile des Pins", New Caledonia Holotype female in RMNH, no. D 14506.

Geographical Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific region: Queensland, Australia; New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands; New Hebrides; Fiji Islands; Samoa.

Habitat and Biology:
In shallow water on reefs, usually on the exposed side, often in surge channels. The animals hide in crevices and marine caves in the day time, often attached to the ceilings of the caves.

Size:
The carapace length varies between 4.5 and 8 cm; maximum total body length is about 18 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
The species is caught by divers with gloved hands (George, 1971: 4). They are eaten and found on the local markets, where they are sold fresh. According to George (1971:9) in Samoa the species is "not in demand by the hotel trade".

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Crustacea
Order Decapoda
Suborder Macrura Reptantia
Superfamily Palinuroidea
Family Scyllaridae
Subfamily Ibacinae
Genus Parribacus
Species Parribacus caledonicus

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Parribacus caledonicus Holthuis, 1960

Scientific synonyms and common names

Parribacus caledonicus Holthuis, 1960

Synonyms:
Parribacus caledonicus Holthuis, 1960, Proceedings Biological Society Washington, 73: 147.

Formerly not distinguished from P. antarcticus.

FAO Names:
Caledonian mitten lobster [English]

Local Names:
FIJI: Butterfly lobster, Ivinibila, Vavaba
NEW CALEDONIA: Popinée

George, R.W., 1971. Report of the first tour of a Spiny Lobster Survey in Fiji, Western Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, 20 October-23 December 1970. South Pacific Islands Fisheries Development Agency. FAO, FI:SF/SOP/Reg.,102/4:1-19

Holthuis, L.B., 1960. Preliminary descriptions of one new genus, twelve new species and three new subspecies of scyllarid lobster (Crustacea Decapoda Macrura). Proceedings Biological Society Washington, 73: 147-154.

Holthuis, L.B., 1985. A revision of the family Scyllaridae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Macrura). I. Subfamily Ibacinae. Zoölogische Verhandelingen, Leiden, 218:1-130, figs 1-27

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