The Horseshoe Crab

The sole extant members of the order Xiphosura are horseshoe crabs, which are marine and brackish water arthropods belonging to the family Limulidae. They are not actually crabs or crustaceans, despite their name; rather, they are chelicerates, most closely related to arachnids like spiders, ticks, and scorpions. <img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*o54IYUcXtfWsURmvyAusRA.jpeg" style="height:525px; width:700px" /> The soft, sandy, or muddy bottoms of shallow coastal waters are the primary habitats for horseshoe crabs. They are generally found in the inter-tidal zone at spring high tides. In some regions of Asia, they are consumed as food. They are also utilized in science (particularly in the detection and measurement of bacterial endotoxins), as fertilizer, and as fishing bait. Degradation of coastal habitat and over-fishing have led to population declines in recent years. One species of horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, may contain tromodotoxin. <a href="https://medium.com/@paolopregazzi/the-horseshoe-crab-58a8a18b0280">Visit Now</a>