Chan and Yu, 1991
Diagnosis:
Carapace smooth between the ridges and large spines. Chelae of first pereiopods heavily ridged and spinulose. Prominent basal spine on outer edge of movable finger of large chela. Surface of abdominal tergites conspicuously sculptured. Raised parts of dorsal surface of abdomen smooth, not subdivided. No raised dorsomedian carina on first abdominal somite. Fifth abdominal somite with distinct spine on carina, separating tergite from pleuron. Dorsomedian carina of sixth abdominal somite with one or two pairs of submedian spines.
Type:
Type locality: "north-eastern Taiwan, Su-Ao, I-Lan County... fish market, 300-400 m (from fishermen)". Holotype male, NTOU no. 90-3-9H. Paratypes, NTOU, RMNH, TFRI. All type material in good condition, in alcohol.
Geographical Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific region: off north-east and south-west Taiwan.
Habitat and Biology:
At depths of 200 to 450 m, mostly more than 300 m. On a more rocky bottom than the other Taiwan lobsters.
Size:
Carapace length 1.7-5.7 cm (males), 1.4-4.8 cm (females), 3.9-4.4 cm (ovigerous females).
Interest to Fisheries:
The species is sold on the Taiwan markets and fetches better prices than the other Taiwan lobsters as the specimens are larger. However, it is less common in the markets than the other species.
Remarks:
Before 1991 specimens of this species were considered to belong to M. japonicus.