(Ortmann, 1894)
Diagnosis:
Lateral margin of carapace with distinct cervical and postcervical incisions. Anterior margin of carapace between eye and anterolateral angle evenly concave. Outline of posterior margin of pleura of second abdominal somite straight.
Type:
Type locality: "Port Elisabeth" (= Port Elizabeth, Cape Province, South Africa). Holotype male in MZS, preserved dry, condition poor.
Geographical Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific region: only known from S.E. Africa (from Inhambane, Mozambique to Cape Agulhas, Cape Province, South Africa; about from 24° to 34°50'S).
Habitat and Biology:
Depth range from 37 to 380 m (mostly less than 100 m) on a substrate of fine sediments, mud or fine sand. The animals seem to dig into the mud.
Size:
Maximum total body length over 20 cm; carapace length to 9 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
Minor. The species is occasionally taken by trawlers, but there is no special fishery for it, although Von Bonde (1930: 5) remarked that it "occurs off the coast of Natal in such numbers as to be of economic importance".