Horseshoe Crabs [Limulidae]

Description

Limulidae is the only extant family within the order Xiphosura, encompassing all four living species of horseshoe crabs. These marine arthropods are known for their distinctive horseshoe-shaped carapace and long, spike-like tail, or telson, which is used for steering and righting themselves if turned over. Limulidae species are benthic, living primarily on the sea floor in shallow ocean waters. They feed on worms, small molluscs, and other invertebrates by grinding them up between their legs before passing the food to their mouth. Horseshoe crabs are of significant ecological importance, serving as a critical food source for migrating birds, and are used in medical research due to their unique blue blood, which contains substances used to detect bacterial endotoxins.

Genera

Taxonomy