393278Limulus polyphemusLower Risk/near threatened (LR/nt)<i>Limulus polyphemus</i> Linnaeus, 1758Atlantic horseshoe crabbgLimulusbgМечоопашатdaDolkhaledeAtlantische degenkrabdeMollukkenkrebsdePfeilschwanzkrebsdeSchwertzschwanzenAtlantic horseshoe crab (German: amerikanischer Pfeilschwanzkrebs)enHorsefoot crabenHorseshoe crabenKing crabenPan crabesCangrejo herradurafiamerikanmolukkirapufiMolukkirapufrLimuleitLimulus polyphemusjaアメリカカブトガニmsBelangkasnlDegenkrabbennoDolkhalernvTáłtłʼááh séigoʼ bitsʼaʼígííplskrzypłoczptLímulosvDolksvansthแมงดาทะเลDay, Cherie H. 1987. "Life on Intertidal Rocks." Nature Study Guild Publishers, Rochester, NY.934319343325699false1Gould, James L.; Keeton, William T. 1993. "Biological Science." W.W. Norton and Company, Inc. New York and London.934419344325699false1Hickman, Cleveland P.; Roberts, Larry S. 1995. "Animal Diversity." Wm. C. Brown Pubishers. Dubuque, Iowa.934519345325699false1Williams, Austin B. 1984. "Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast." Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc.934619346325699false1Day, Cherie H. 1987. "Life on Intertidal Rocks." Nature Study Guild Publishers, Rochester, NY.9343193431075551false1Gould, James L.; Keeton, William T. 1993. "Biological Science." W.W. Norton and Company, Inc. New York and London.9344193441075551false1Hickman, Cleveland P.; Roberts, Larry S. 1995. "Animal Diversity." Wm. C. Brown Pubishers. Dubuque, Iowa.9345193451075551false1Williams, Austin B. 1984. "Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast." Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc.9346193461075551false1Day, Cherie H. 1987. "Life on Intertidal Rocks." Nature Study Guild Publishers, Rochester, NY.9343193431139389false1Gould, James L.; Keeton, William T. 1993. "Biological Science." W.W. Norton and Company, Inc. New York and London.9344193441139389false1Hickman, Cleveland P.; Roberts, Larry S. 1995. "Animal Diversity." Wm. C. Brown Pubishers. Dubuque, Iowa.9345193451139389false1Williams, Austin B. 1984. "Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast." Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc.9346193461139389false1WoRMS (2009). <i>Limulus polyphemus</i> (Linnaeus, 1758). Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=150514 on 2010-01-101468071114680713976212false11. IUCN Red List (January, 2008) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org</a>68622016862201420572false12. Ecological Research and Development Group: The Horseshoe Crab (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.horseshoecrab.org/">http://www.horseshoecrab.org/</a>69330216933021420572false13. Well, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983) <i>The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book</i>. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.69330316933031420572false14. Smithsonian Marine Station (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm">http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm</a>69330416933041420572false11. IUCN Red List (January, 2008) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org</a>68622016862202375567false12. Ecological Research and Development Group: The Horseshoe Crab (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.horseshoecrab.org/">http://www.horseshoecrab.org/</a>69330216933022375567false13. Well, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983) <i>The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book</i>. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.69330316933032375567false14. Smithsonian Marine Station (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm">http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm</a>69330416933042375567false11. IUCN Red List (January, 2008) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org</a>68622016862202453620false12. Ecological Research and Development Group: The Horseshoe Crab (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.horseshoecrab.org/">http://www.horseshoecrab.org/</a>69330216933022453620false13. Well, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983) <i>The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book</i>. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.69330316933032453620false14. Smithsonian Marine Station (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm">http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm</a>69330416933042453620false11. IUCN Red List (January, 2008) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org</a>68622016862202750172false12. Ecological Research and Development Group: The Horseshoe Crab (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.horseshoecrab.org/">http://www.horseshoecrab.org/</a>69330216933022750172false13. Well, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983) <i>The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book</i>. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.69330316933032750172false14. Smithsonian Marine Station (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm">http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm</a>69330416933042750172false11. IUCN Red List (January, 2008) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org</a>68622016862202890956false12. Ecological Research and Development Group: The Horseshoe Crab (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.horseshoecrab.org/">http://www.horseshoecrab.org/</a>69330216933022890956false13. Well, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983) <i>The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book</i>. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.69330316933032890956false14. Smithsonian Marine Station (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm">http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm</a>69330416933042890956false11. IUCN Red List (January, 2008) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org</a>68622016862203240620false12. Ecological Research and Development Group: The Horseshoe Crab (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.horseshoecrab.org/">http://www.horseshoecrab.org/</a>69330216933023240620false13. Well, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983) <i>The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book</i>. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.69330316933033240620false14. Smithsonian Marine Station (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm">http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm</a>69330416933043240620false11. IUCN Red List (January, 2008) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org</a>68622016862203653437false12. Ecological Research and Development Group: The Horseshoe Crab (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.horseshoecrab.org/">http://www.horseshoecrab.org/</a>69330216933023653437false13. Well, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983) <i>The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book</i>. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.69330316933033653437false14. Smithsonian Marine Station (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm">http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm</a>69330416933043653437false11. IUCN Red List (January, 2008) <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org">http://www.iucnredlist.org</a>68622016862204023931false12. Ecological Research and Development Group: The Horseshoe Crab (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.horseshoecrab.org/">http://www.horseshoecrab.org/</a>69330216933024023931false13. Well, S.M., Pyle, R.M. and Collins, N.M. (1983) <i>The IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book</i>. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.69330316933034023931false14. Smithsonian Marine Station (March, 2004) <a href="http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm">http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Limulu_polyph.htm</a>69330416933044023931false1Horseshoe crabs are typically active at night, with activity peaking around the time of the full moon. They dig for food, such as worms, algae and molluscs in the sediment (3).</p><p>During the spring and summer, adults migrate in huge numbers towards sandy beaches and congregate in the shallow water (4). Breeding is associated with the lunar and tidal cycles, with most adults arriving at the full or new moon and within a couple of hours of high tide. The direction of the waves guides the females towards the beach (3). Males patrol along the bottom of the beach in the shallow water, waiting to intercept beach-bound females (4). Pairs make their way to the high tide mark and the male fertilises the eggs as they are laid into a 15 centimetres deep nest in the sand (3). From 2,000 to 20,000 eggs may be produced in a single clutch (4). Very often there may be more than one male accompanying each female; in some cases there have been as many as 14 males to one female. As the tide begins to retreat, the horseshoe crabs make their way back to the sea (3).</p><p>The sticky eggs hatch after around five weeks (3), but this is dependent on temperature (4). The larvae, which are known as 'trilobite' larvae may remain buried in the sand in aggregations for a number of weeks (4) before emerging at high tide. After they enter the water, they undergo a 'swimming frenzy' of constant, vigorous activity. Six to eight days after emerging, they moult into the first juvenile stage, which is very similar in appearance to the adult stage. At this point they cease swimming and start to live on the bottom (3). Horseshoe crabs are slow-growing. Males reach sexual maturity at 9 to 11 years of age and females between 10 to 12 years. Although it is difficult to assess age in this species, the average life-span is thought to be 20 to 40 years (4).</p><p>The horseshoe crab is an essential part of the ecosystem in which it occurs. Their eggs provide a valuable source of food for many species including wading birds, sea turtles, alligators and fish. Furthermore, the action of the crab as it ploughs the sea bed in search of food aerates the substrate, resulting in a higher level of species richness (2).313d4156d39a8c3adb0e6d0aefb8d55c2609920WildscreenCopyright Wildscreen 2003-2008ARKiveCopyrightCopyright Wildscreen 2003-2008. Some rights reservedhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/SupplierARKivehttp://www.arkive.org/5978arkiveLocationSource URLView original data objecthttp://www.arkive.org/horseshoe-crab/limulus-polyphemus/CitationEnglishcc-by-nc-sa 3.0Texthttp://content3.eol.org/content_large.jpghttp://content4.eol.org/content_medium.jpghttp://content5.eol.org/content_small.jpg13290302232704204129783328662512953009717226298227131AnimaliaNOT EVALUATEDAnimalia164ArthropodaNOT EVALUATEDArthropoda1919MerostomataNOT EVALUATEDMerostomata1920XiphosuraNOT EVALUATEDXiphosura1921LimulidaeNOT EVALUATEDLimulidae49265LimulusNOT EVALUATEDLimulus393278Limulus polyphemusLower Risk/near threatened (LR/nt)<i>Limulus polyphemus</i> Linnaeus, 1758Portland State University, MA Education
7klansBA Physics - Johns Hopkins University
MS Education - Johns Hopkins University
ME Engineering Physics - University of Virginia
10peterPh.D., University of Bristol (1976)
D.Sc., Queen's University, Belfast (1990)
11paddyAsst. Project Manager, Antarctic Invertebrates, Smithsonian Institution
Visiting Scientist, Chemicals Affecting Insect Behavior Lab, US Agricultural Research Service, 2005-2006
Hammock, J., Vinyard, B., Dickens, J. 2007. Response to host plant odors and aggregation pheromone by larvae of the Colorado potato beetle on a servosphere. Arthropod-Plant Interactions, 1(1):27-35
PhD, Biological Oceanography, Massachussetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceangraphic Institution, 200520470jhammockUniversity of Michigan, PhD 1997
Thesis: Social behavior and vocal communication of American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Member of Ecological Society of America, Entomological Society of America.25567csparr33422mstuderEOL Species Pages Coordinator, Ph. D. in Entomology, University of Arizona 1999, Diploma in Biology, Freie Universität Berlin 198935200KatjaWilliam Miller, PhD
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Baker University
Dept. of Biology
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35243WMiller36197MarthaTestuserfaculty, Department of Biology
University of Miami
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AAAS, ICRS, Sigma Xi
http://www.bio.miami.edu/Fac/Sealey.html38707ksealeyEmeritus Fellow, Trinity College Dublin
Holdich, Catherine, David M., Noel, Pierre Y., Reynolds, Julian D. and Haffner, Patrick (eds) (2006). Atlas of crayfish in Europe. Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, 187 pages. Patrimoines naturels, 64.
Hudson, Anne V. and Reynolds, Julian D. (1984). Distribution of Irish intertidal Talitridae. Bulletin of the Irish biogeographical Society, 8, 63-76.
Reynolds, Julian D. (1976). Occurrence of the fresh-water Bryozoan, Cristatella mucedo Cuvier, in British Columbia. Syesis, 9, 365-366.
Smyth, Thomas and Reynolds, Julian D. (1995). Survival ability of statoblasts of freshwater Bryozoa found in Renvyle Lough, County Galway. Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 95B (1), 65-68.
Wickenberg, Maria and Reynolds, Julian D. (2002). A recent Irish record of the woodlouse Acaeroplastes melanurus (Budde-Lund, 1885) (Isopoda: Porcellionidae), considered to be extinct in the British Isles. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society, 26, 60-63.39544jrynoldsAffiliated with EOL Species Pages Group39552lshapiroCurator of marine invertebrates, National Museums Northern Ireland (Ulster Museum)
Author Sponges of the British Isles - A colour guide and working document, 1992 Edition. Ackers, R.G., Moss, D. & Picton, B. E. 1992. Marine Conservation Society, UK. Revised and extended, 2007, Bernard Picton, Christine Morrow & Rob van Soest. PDf and website40160BernardPicton0150