(Bruce, 1966)
Diagnosis:
Carapace smooth between the ridges and large spines. Chelae of first pereiopods weakly ridged and finely granular. Transverse grooves present on first to fifth abdominal tergites.
Type:
Type locality: South China Sea, "Cape St. Mary" "Sta. 63, Trawl 54, 15°53.0'N 109°26.0'E to 15°53.7'N 109°25.3'E (approx.).... depth 155 fms [ = 283.5 m) (and deeper)". Holotype female in BM, no. 1964.9.28.2; allotype in BM, no 1964.9.28.3 (both in alcohol, condition good); paratypes in RMNH, ZSI, and Fisheries Research Station Hong Kong.
Geographical Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific region. Only known from the four localities in the South China Sea mentioned in the original description, all situated between 15°53'N-16°00'N and 109°25.3'E - 109°33'E.
Habitat and Biology:
Depth range from (205-) 260 to 373 (-390) m. Bottom: mud, sometimes with shells. Ovigerous females were obtained in September.
Size:
Total body length 6 to 15 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
One of the type lots was obtained with a commercial Granton trawl and consists of no less than 137 specimens (including 47 ovigerous females). Two other lots (also taken with a Granton trawl) contained 4 and 11 specimens, and the fourth (with Agassiz trawl) 5 specimens. The size of the specimens, their gregariousness and the configuration of the substrates where they are found, indicate that the species may be of commercial interest.