Leach, 1814
Subdorsal carinae of carapace spinulate. Left and right first chelipeds unequal, one a crushing claw, the other a cutting claw. Palm of first chelipeds with distinct longitudinal grooves, ridges and rows of spines. Antennal spines without strong posterior carina. Abdominal somites dorsally with distinct transverse grooves, a blunt carina separates the tergites from the pleura. First abdominal sternite of the male without a median spine.
Type Species: by monotypy: Cancer norvegicus Linnaeus, 1758.
Although previously several Indo-West Pacific and tropical West Atlantic species have been assigned to this genus, at present it contains a single north east Atlantic species only. All other species are now placed in the genus Metanephrops.
The single true Nephrops species, N. norvegicus, is of considerable economic interest.