A large species, characteristic in having two spots each on lateral parts of second and fourth abdominal segments. Carapace cylindrical and covered with tubercles of variable size, but smooth for most part in large specimens. Supraorbital spine strong and curved. Antennal plate with two pairs of strong spines, and the anterior pair being the larger. Abdomen and tail-fan large, a transverse groove on each abdominal segment, without interruption.
Distribution:
West Atlantic from the Bermudas and North Carloina throuhg the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to Brazil, from lower tidal zone to 90 m deep.
Remarks:
This species is the most important in the West Atlantic and commercially fishing in many areas. There is an old record of P. guttatus (Latreille) from Suriname, which differs from this species by having many white spots on the entire surface of abdomen and ambulatory legs, and only one pair of spines on the antennal plate.