(Herbst, 1796)
Carpus of chelipeds without two obvious spines on distal half of outer margin; palm of cheliped usually with a pair of blunt prominences on dorsal margin behind insertion of the dactyl, inner larger than outer; may be spinous in juveniles and young adults. Frontal lobe spines low (mean height c. 0.03 times frontal width measured between medial orbital sutures), rounded with shallow interspaces. Chelipeds, legs and abdomen all without obvious polygonal patterning for both sexes. (Davie 1999)
Frontal lobe spines low (mean height c. 0.03 times frontal width measured between medial orbital sutures), rounded with shallow interspaces. Antero-lateral carapace spines broad, with outer convex. Carpus of chelipeds usually with one small blunt prominence (may be spinous in juveniles) ventro-medially on outer margin; reduced second spine may be present dorso-distally in juveniles and young adults. Palm of cheliped usually with a pair of blunt prominences on dorsal margin behind insertion of the dactyl, inner larger than outer; may be spinous in juveniles and young adults. Chelipeds, legs and abdomen all without obvious polygonal patterning for both sexes.
Colour varies from red through brown to brownish/black depending on habitat. (Keenan et al., 1998)
Type locality: East India, probably referring to Indo-Malayan Archipelago. Herbst's type material is considered lost. A neotype designated by Keenan et al. (1998) was collected at Kupang, Indonesia.
Range: Pakistan - Karachi; Thailand - Phuket (Keenan et al., 1998); southern China - Beihai (Keenan et al., 1998); Taiwan - Kaohsiung (Keenan et al., 1998); Vietnam (Serène, 1952, Keenan et al., 1998); Thailand - Bangkok; Singapore (Keenan et al., 1998); Malaysia - Buntal, Sarawak (Keenan et al., 1998); Philippines - Panay and Mindanao (Keenan et al., 1998), Negros; Indonesia - Kupang (Keenan et al., 1998); Arafura Sea; Australia - King Sound, W.A. (Keenan et al., 1998), Weipa.