Tri-spine horseshoe crab [Tachypleus tridentatus]
Description
The Tri-spine horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, is known for its three distinct spines on the tail. It is found in the coastal waters of East Asia, from Japan to Vietnam. It typically prefers sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow waters. Its diet consists mainly of small invertebrates, which it finds by digging in the sediment. The female of this species is typically larger than the male. Due to its unique blue blood, it is often harvested for medical purposes, which has led to a decrease in population and it is now considered a vulnerable species.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Arthropods
Arthropoda
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Horseshoe Crabs
Merostomata
|
| Order |
Xiphosura
Xiphosura
|
| Family |
Horseshoe Crabs
Limulidae
|
| Genus |
Mangrove horseshoe crab
Carcinoscorpius
|