Family Palinuridae Latreille, 1802

Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) Diagnosis: Melo, 1999:436, fig. 294.

Previous records: Coelho, 1967 /69: 231; Fausto-Filho, 1974:6; Coelho and Ramos-Porto, 1998b:389; Melo, 1999: 436; Coelho et al., 2002:439.

Examined material: MAR/92: Praia do Porto, 1 female. AUG/92: Praia do Porto, 1 male. MAR/93: Praia da Atalaia, 1 female.

Habitat: found in caves with sponges and coral; generally many specimens in exactly one locality. Captured during nocturnal diving, depths of up to 5 m.

Observation: during the day it was possible to see the species in practically all the beaches of the main island and the secondary islands, but its capture only was possible at night, when the specimens left in search of food.

Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869

Diagnosis: Melo, 1999:438, fig.296.

Previous records: Pocock, 1890:516; Coelho, 1967 /69: 231; Coelho and Ramos, 1972:159; Fausto-Filho, 1974:7; Vianna, 1986:25; Manning and Chace, 1990:36; Coelho and Ramos-Porto, 1998b:389; Melo, 1999: 438; Coelho et al., 2002:439.

Examined material: MAR/92: Praia do Porto, 1 male. JUN/92: Praia da Caieira, 1 female. AUG/93: Praia da Caieira, 1 male (exuvia).

Habitat: found in caves.

Observations: observed during the day in depths of up to 30 m; at night, they left in search of food.

Panulirus laevicauda (Latreille, 1817)

Diagnosis: Melo, 1999:440, fig. 298.

Previous records: Pocock, 1890:516 (as Panulirus ornatus Gray, 1847); Coelho and Ramos, 1972:160; Fausto-Filho, 1974:7; Coelho and Ramos-Porto, 1998b:390; Melo, 1999:440; Coelho et al., 2002:439.

Examined material: APR/92: Praia do Porto, 1 female (exuvia). SEP/92: Praia da Atalaia, 1 male. MAR/ 93: Praia da Caieira, 1 male.

Habitat: in caves encrusted with seaweed, silt and coral; captured during nocturnal diving.