Jasus
A genus of Southern Hemisphere spiny lobsters with distinctive horns.
Jasus is a genus of spiny lobsters inhabiting the Southern Hemisphere's oceans. Two distinct horns project from the front of their carapace, but they lack the stridulating organs found in nearly all other spiny lobster genera. Like all spiny lobsters, they have no claws, and their long, stout antennae are quite flexible. The genus name comes from the ancient Greek town of Iasos, located on the Mediterranean Sea in what is now Turkey, which was known for its prawns and featured them on some of its coins. Species in the genus include *Jasus caveorum*, *Jasus frontalis*, *Jasus tristani*, *Jasus lalandii*, *Jasus paulensis*, and *Jasus edwardsii*. A former species, *Jasus verreauxi*, found around New Zealand (especially the North Island), the Chatham Islands, and Australia (from Queensland to Victoria and Tasmania), is now placed in the genus *Sagmariasus*. One fossil species, *Jasus jlemingi*, dates from the Miocene in New Zealand. Most living species are commercially exploited; for example, *J. edwardsii* and the closely related *Sagmariasus verreauxi* make up the bulk of the A$4.6 million New South Wales lobster fishery, while *Jasus lalandii* is the most important commercial rock lobster in southern Africa.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Jasus
- Type Species
- Palinurus lalandii
- Type Species Authority
- H. Milne-Edwards, 1837
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The generic name Jasus is derived from the Ancient Greek town of Iasos on the Mediterranean Sea, located in modern Turkey, which was famous for its prawns and stamped them on some of its coins. The genus includes several extant species, with distributions mapped across the Southern Hemisphere: J. caveorum, J. frontalis, J. tristani, J. lalandii, J. paulensis, and J. edwardsii. A species formerly known as Jasus verreauxi, found around New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, and parts of Australia, is now placed in the genus Sagmariasus.
Reader's Guide
Jasus species are significant in commercial fisheries across the Southern Hemisphere. Most extant species are liable to commercial exploitation. The majority of the A$4.6 million New South Wales lobster fishery industry is based on J. edwardsii and the closely related Sagmariasus verreauxi. In southern Africa, Jasus lalandii is the most important commercial rock lobster. The genus also includes a Miocene fossil species, Jasus jlemingi, from New Zealand, indicating a long evolutionary history in the region. The absence of stridulating organs distinguishes Jasus from almost all other spiny lobster genera, marking a notable anatomical divergence within the group.
Did You Know?
- Jasus lacks the stridulating organs present in almost all other spiny lobster genera.
- A species formerly called Jasus verreauxi is now placed in the genus Sagmariasus.
- Jasus jlemingi is a Miocene fossil species from New Zealand.
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