Holthuis, 1967
Diagnosis:
Cervical groove narrow and shallow in its median area; cardiac knob thereby very little pronounced. Pregastric tooth distinctly two-topped. Carpus of the first pereiopod with a distinct dorsal groove, and without a conspicuous basal swelling. Central spot on first abdominal somite sharply defined, as distinct as laterals. Outline of pleura of second abdominal somite broadly rounded. Median ridges on second to fourth abdominal somite sharp and distinctly set off from rest of surface. Fourth abdominal somite of adult specimen not conspicuously higher than the third.
Type:
Type locality: "Eylath, Gulf of Aqaba, Israel". Holotype female in RMNH, no. D 23023.
Geographical Distribution:
Indo-West Pacific region: Red Sea, E. Africa (Somalia, Kenya), Gulf of Aden, Pakistan, west coast of Thailand.
Habitat and Biology:
Depth range from 5 to 112 m; substrates unknown. The species has been observed to open live Tridacna shells; it also eats other molluscs and dead fish
Size:
Total body length up to about 30 cm; carapace lengths reported vary between 6 and 12 cm.
Interest to Fisheries:
There are no reports about the economic value of the species, but judging by its size and the fact that all other species of the genus are comestible, it is likely that the specimens caught will be used as food.