Panulirus pascuensis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Panulirus pascuensis
Conservation status
Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Family:	Palinuridae
Genus:	Panulirus
Species:	P. pascuensis
Binomial name
Panulirus pascuensis Reed, 1954
Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist.
Synonyms
Palinurus paschalis Holthuis, 1972

Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".

Panulirus pascuensis is a type of spiny lobster. It lives in the Pacific Ocean, near Easter Island and the Pitcairn Islands. People often call it the Easter Island spiny lobster. In Spanish, it's known as Langosta de Isla de Pascua. The Rapa Nui language name for it is Ura. Local people catch these lobsters for food.

Meet the Easter Island Spiny Lobster

This spiny lobster can grow to be about 15 to 25 centimeters (6 to 10 inches) long. Its main body shell, called the carapace, is about 6 to 10 centimeters (2.4 to 4 inches) long.

What it Looks Like

The Easter Island spiny lobster has two large spines on its head, right in front of its carapace. It has two pairs of antennae. The first pair is split, and the second pair is long, thick, and spiny. The tips of these antennae have long, thin parts called flagella.

Unlike some other lobsters, this one does not have claws on its first four pairs of walking legs. Its body is a dark greenish-purple color. It has light-colored stripes across the back of its tail segments. The base of its tail fan has pale spots. All its antennae are one solid color. Its walking legs have thin, light-colored stripes running lengthwise.

Where it Lives and Hides

The Panulirus pascuensis lobster lives in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. You can find it around the coasts of Easter Island and Pitcairn Island. It usually lives in waters up to 5 meters (16 feet) deep. It has also been seen near the Austral Islands in French Polynesia.

This lobster prefers rocky shores. During the day, it likes to hide. It will often tuck itself away under large rocks or in small cracks and holes.

Life and Habits of the Spiny Lobster

Like other spiny lobsters, Panulirus pascuensis is active at night. It is an omnivore, meaning it eats both plants and animals. It is also a scavenger, eating dead things it finds.

What it Eats

Its diet includes slow-moving creatures. These can be molluscs (like snails or clams), echinoderms (like sea urchins), and other crustaceans. It also eats chitons, which are small marine animals. If it finds dead fish or other decaying matter, it will eat that too.

Even though it doesn't have crushing claws, its mandibles (jaws) are very strong. They can break open the shells of bivalves (like clams) and gastropods (like snails).

Life Cycle

The baby lobsters, called larvae, spend a long time in the ocean. They float around as part of the plankton for over a year. After this time, they settle down on the seabed. Then, they go through a big change called metamorphosis to become young lobsters.

Its Conservation Status

People on Easter Island and Pitcairn Island catch Panulirus pascuensis for food. They usually catch them by hand or with a spear. Sometimes, they use gill nets or lobster pots. At night, they might use a torch to help them see.

Why it's "Data Deficient"

The IUCN keeps a list of threatened species. This list is called the IUCN Red List. The IUCN has listed the Easter Island spiny lobster as "Data Deficient". This means there isn't enough information about how many lobsters there are or if their numbers are going up or down. Because of this, scientists can't properly assess if it's truly endangered.

Threats to the Lobster

One possible threat to this lobster is tourism. Easter Island wants to attract more visitors. The Easter Island spiny lobster is a popular seafood dish served in local restaurants. It is a traditional food for the Rapanui, who are the native people of the island. This lobster is even shown in many rock engravings on the island.