Atlantic horseshoe crab [Limulus]

Description

Limulus is a genus of marine chelicerates in the family Limulidae, commonly known as the Atlantic horseshoe crab. Members of this genus are characterized by their hard, rounded carapaces and long, pointed tails, which are used for steering rather than as a weapon. They are benthic organisms, living primarily in and around shallow ocean waters on soft sandy or muddy bottoms. They play a crucial role in their ecosystems, both as predators of small invertebrates and as prey for larger species. Limulus is of significant interest to medical research due to the unique properties of their blue blood, which is used in the detection of bacterial endotoxins.

Species

Atlantic horseshoe crab [Limulus polyphemus]

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Taxonomy