Palibythus
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Distribution
Palibythus is only known to occur around Samoa and the Tuamotu Archipelago. It lives at greater depth than Palinurellus – from 90 to 300 m (300–980 ft) – and is slightly larger, at up to 27 cm (11 in) in length. All the specimens held in natural history museums stem from the waters of Samoa, with only photos so far known of an animal from the Tuamotu Archipelago that is "almost definitely this species".
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Sound
Like other spiny lobsters (with the exception of the genera Jasus and Projasus), Palibythus is capable of making a loud screeching noise to distract or discourage potential predators. This is achieved by rubbing plectra at the base of the antennae against elongated "files" on the sides of the antennular plate.
Relatives
Palibythus was originally placed with Palinurellus in the family Synaxidae, on the basis that both genera possess a triangular rostrum which is absent in the other genera of spiny lobsters, and that both genera lack the supra-orbital horns found in the other spiny lobster genera. Despite this, however, the two genera of furry lobsters are not sister taxa. The genera most closely related to Palibythus are Panulirus and Palinurus, while Palinurellus is closest to Jasus and Projasus, two other genera which lack the stridulating organ.
Fishery
Although Palibythus is a large enough lobster to provide food for human consumption, its rarity, and the depths at which it lives, seem to preclude any commercial fishery.