INTRODUCTION. 

 CLASSIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION. 



The spiny lobsters belong to the family Palinuridaa, which is represented by six 

 genera and numerous species distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical seas. 

 The genus Panulirus, of which the spiny lobster, or crawfish, found around the Florida 

 Keys is a species, is represented by species of economic importance on both the Atlantic 

 and Pacific coasts of America, in the Hawaiian Islands, and in Japan. 



The northern limit of Panulirus argus, apparently, is Beaufort, N. C, where a 

 few small specimens are caught occasionally by the fishermen seining for shrimps; but 

 the spiny lobster does not often reach a large size there, and it is of little, if any, eco- 

 nomic importance in that region. 1 This genus probably does not extend farther south 

 than Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 2 



Panulirus argus is very abundant on the Florida Reef from Miami to the Dry 

 Tortugas, a distance of over 200 miles. The best fishing grounds are known to be along 

 the southern shores of the reefs and keys. Spiny lobsters are found in less abundance 

 on the northern shores of the keys, and an occasional individual is seen as far north as 

 Cedar Key. 



COMMON NAMES. 



The spiny lobster is known about Key West as crawfish and langouste, a name 

 borrowed from the French. Other names are rough, thorny, or rock lobster, and sea 

 crawfish. The most common name among the fishermen and dealers is crawfish. 



1 Hay, W. P., andC A. Shore: The Decapod Crustaceans of Beaufort, N. C, and the Surrounding Region, p. 398. Bulletin 

 U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, Vol. XXXV, 1915-16, p. 369-475, Pis. XXV-XXXIX. 20 text figs., Washington, 1918. 



2 Gruvel, A.: Contribution k l'fitude generate systematitique et economique des Pahnuridse. Annales de l'lnstitut oceanc- 

 graphique, Monaco, Tome III, Fasc. IV, p. 5-54, VI Pis., 22 text figs. Paris, 1911. 



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