Formerly considered part of L. trigonus, it was recognised as a separate species in 2011, based on variation in colouration, and subtle morphological differences.

Linuparus meridionalis is found in at depths of 71–315 metres (233–1,033 ft) around the northern and eastern coasts of Australia, off New Caledonia, and among the Indonesian Tanimbar Islands.

[1] Linuparus meridionalis males grow to a carapace length of 125 millimetres (4.9 in), with females only slightly smaller, at 122 mm (4.8 in).

Doubts were expressed as early as 1967 that the two populations belonged to the same species, but no convincing character could be found to separate them.

[1] L. meridionalis is separated from L. trigonus by the pattern of colours on the body, and by subtle differences in the shape of the sternum.