Distribution & Ecology: Endemic to the region; Easter Island; Austral (MacDonald bank, Marotiri, Rapa); Pitcairn - Marine; Shoreline to 10 m (0-40m); Hard bottom.

Regional Records: EASTER ISLAND - Panulirus pascuensis Reed, 1954 (Easter Island, type locality). - Holthuis, 1972: 36 (Easter Island, Hanga Roa, 5m). - Báez & Ruiz, 1985: 98 (Easter Island; specimens deposited in MNHN Santiago, coll. 1960-1972; also mention for Salas y Gómez). - DiSalvo et al., 1988: 457 ("The most conspicuous of the crustaceans at Easter Island are ... Panulirus pascuensis ..."). - Poupin, 1996a: 5, 9, 81 (French Polynesia; Rapa). - FRENCH POLYNESIA - Panulirus pascuensis - Laboute & Richer de Forges, 1986: 7, 21, pl. 2c (MacDonald bank, Marotiri, Rapa). - Salvat, 1986b: 70, photograph (MacDonald bank). - Holthuis, 1991: 149, fig. 283-284 (Pitcairn, 500km south-east off the Gambier). - Poupin, 1994a: 8 (after Laboute & Richer de Forges); 1996a: 5, 9, 81 (Checklist). - Unpublished specimen, coll. A. Le Goff, BENTHAUS Expedition to Rapa, November 2002, Rapa Iti Islet, dive at night, 3-5 m, 2 specimens and photograph. - Remark: Laboute & Richer de Forges (1986: 18) also record Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793) in French Polynesia ("Iles hautes et atolls"). This species, which is only listed without material examined, is not reported from the area by Holthuis (1991: 152). We therefore consider that this record is not valid.

Depth distribution: 0 - 40 m