Horseshoe Crab
Description
of the Horseshoe Crab
The Horseshoe Crab is also commonly known as the Helmet crab,
Saucepan or Horsefoot! Although called a crab, they are in fact
more closely related to Ticks, Scorpions and Spiders! They are
named after the shape of their shell or carapace and are not
true crabs. There are four species of horseshoe crabs:
- Limulus polyphemus
(Atlantic horseshoe crab)
- Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Mangrove horseshoe crab)
- Tachypleus gigas
- Tachypleus tridentatus
Profile of
the Horseshoe Crab
This
Profile contains interesting facts and information about the
Horseshoe Crab species.
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Fish Tank
conditions:
PH 8.0 to 8.4
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Diet / Feeding:
Small crustaceans, Worms
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Habitat: Bottom
dwellers
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Range: Northern
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico
Scientific
Classification of the Horseshoe Crab
Definition: Scientific
classification, or biological classification, is how biologists
group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical
characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the
science of taxonomy.
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Species:
Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, Limulus polyphemus, Tachypleus
gigas, Tachypleus tridentatus
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Popular Name:
Horseshoe Crab - Atlantic Horseshoe Crab - Mangrove
Horseshoe Crab
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Kingdom:
Animalia
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Phylum:
Arthropoda
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Class:
Merostomata
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Order:
Xiphosurida
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Family: Limulidae
Interesting Facts and Information -
How do you identify
the sex of a Horseshoe Crab?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors
or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish
species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes
tricky being an ichthyologist! The female horseshoe crab however
is larger than the male.
Interesting Facts and Information -
Why do Horseshoe Crab have gills?
Gills enable the Horseshoe Crab to breathe. Gills consist of thin
sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over
the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon
dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a
large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however
have lungs and breathe air.
Interesting Facts and Information -
Why is the Horseshoe Crab called an Arthropod?
An Arthropod is an invertebrate
animal (without a backbone) that has a segmented body with
jointed limbs (appendages). True crabs are Decapod
Crustaceans. Some species such as
Hermit crabs, Porcelain crabs King crabs and Horseshoe crabs are
not true crabs! Decapod Crustaceans have five pairs of
legs, the first three are used for feeding. At the end of the
limbs are the chelae which is the correct term for pincers or
claws.
Interesting Facts and Information about
Horseshoe Crab
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