Parker, 1883
Carapace without a scale-like sculpturation. Two distinct, widely separated tooth-like frontal horns, between which the anterior margin of the carapace is visible. Antennal flagella although large and firm, quite flexible. No distinct antennular plate between bases of antennae. No stridulating organ. Flagella of antennules short, shorter than last segment of antennular peduncle. First pair of legs not enlarged, with no trace of a pincer. Abdomen variously coloured, usually with squamiform sculpturation before transverse groove.
Type Species: by selection by Holthuis (1960, Bulletin Zoological Nomenclature, 17: 193): Palinurus lalandii H. Milne Edwards, 1837.
The genus consists of seven species, all of which are of commercial interest, and live in restricted zones in the temperate area of the southern hemisphere.
The genus Jasus can be divided into two subgenera: the nominate subgenus, Jasus or "scalloped rock lobsters", includes all but one of the species, and is characterized by the scalloped sculpturation of the upper surface of the abdominal somites. The other subgenus is Sagmariasus nov. subgen. and includes as type and only species the Packhorse rock lobster, Jasus verreauxi (H. Milne Edwards). It is characterized by that the abdominal somites do not show any scalloped sculpturation.