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DSC_3924J_Horseshoe Crab Telson ©JMacCausland.jpg

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An upside-down American Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is trying to right itself with its telson, or tail. This is not a defensive weapon, but is a tool for the arthropod. They are harmless to humans, and in fact crucial to us. We bleed them for their blue blood, for their hemocyanin, which contains amebocyte and lysate, used for detecting bacterial endotoxins in human patients.
Once widespread in ancient seas, only a few live in the modern world. We abuse them by over harvesting, bleeding them, tossing the survivors back upside-down, and using them as fertilizer and fish bait. Slipper Limpets, seen here, commonly attach themselves to Horseshoe crabs.

Filename
DSC_3924J_Horseshoe Crab Telson©JMacCausland.jpg
Copyright
Janet MacCausland
Image Size
3872x2592 / 5.3MB
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Arthropod - Aquatic
An upside-down American Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is trying to right itself with its telson, or tail. This is not a defensive weapon, but is a tool for the arthropod. They are harmless to humans, and in fact crucial to us. We bleed them for their blue blood, for their hemocyanin, which contains amebocyte and lysate, used for detecting bacterial endotoxins in human patients. <br /> Once widespread in ancient seas, only a few live in the modern world. We abuse them by over harvesting, bleeding them, tossing the survivors back upside-down, and using them as fertilizer and fish bait. Slipper Limpets, seen here, commonly attach themselves to Horseshoe crabs.
Home Decor & Stock Photography; Nature; On Location Portraiture; Illustration.
To Purchase, please contact Janet MacCausland at jmmermaid@outlook.com or call 508 824 1569 or TEXT 617 448 2746. All images are the property of the photographer and require permission to copy.