1. Introduction and Life History

2. Horseshoe crabs are also called “soldier crabs,” and are arguably the most interesting creatures on our coast. Horseshoe crabs are also called “soldier crabs,” and are arguably the most interesting creatures on our coast. Horseshoe crabs have been called the most intensively studied marine invertebrate in the world Horseshoe crabs have been called the most intensively studied marine invertebrate in the world In an evolutionary sense, the horseshoe crab has changed very little since its first left trails between the Paleozoic tidepools hundreds of millions of years ago. In an evolutionary sense, the horseshoe crab has changed very little since its first left trails between the Paleozoic tidepools hundreds of millions of years ago. It is about as close as nature gets to a permanent fixture in this dynamic environment. It is about as close as nature gets to a permanent fixture in this dynamic environment.

3. A recently shed horseshoe crab has a beautiful olive-colored shell that has no scratches or marine growth. A recently shed horseshoe crab has a beautiful olive-colored shell that has no scratches or marine growth. From the observations, juvenile crabs keep their shells clean by plowing through the sand and spending extended periods of time completely buried while at rest. Sometimes they actually spend their first few winters hibernating. From the observations, juvenile crabs keep their shells clean by plowing through the sand and spending extended periods of time completely buried while at rest. Sometimes they actually spend their first few winters hibernating. Horseshoe crabs also burrow into the sediments to avoid being pushed around by tidal currents. Horseshoe crabs also burrow into the sediments to avoid being pushed around by tidal currents. Their shell is kept clean by rapid growth, and they grow and shed most frequently when they are juveniles-up to 5 times a year. This prevents the larvae of other creatures from becoming permanently attached to their shells. Their shell is kept clean by rapid growth, and they grow and shed most frequently when they are juveniles-up to 5 times a year. This prevents the larvae of other creatures from becoming permanently attached to their shells. The size and number of the species that grow on the horseshoe crabs is used to tell how old the crab is. The size and number of the species that grow on the horseshoe crabs is used to tell how old the crab is.

4. The creatures that clutch on to the horseshoe crab are there for different reasons. Some for food, and others use the horseshoe crab as a sole habitat. The creatures that clutch on to the horseshoe crab are there for different reasons. Some for food, and others use the horseshoe crab as a sole habitat. Besides having many creatures on it, the shell of a HSC has many scars over it. Some scars come from people poking at it onshore because it looks fierce. The horseshoe crab, however, is completely harmless. Besides having many creatures on it, the shell of a HSC has many scars over it. Some scars come from people poking at it onshore because it looks fierce. The horseshoe crab, however, is completely harmless. Gulls pounce on overturned crabs and tear their gill and muscle tissue. The HSC’S get some revenge though, and harbor an encysted flatworm in the gull’s gut, which matures into a parasite in the gull’s intestine. Gulls pounce on overturned crabs and tear their gill and muscle tissue. The HSC’S get some revenge though, and harbor an encysted flatworm in the gull’s gut, which matures into a parasite in the gull’s intestine.

5. Human Influences In Chinatown, female crabs are sold for their eggs. In Chinatown, female crabs are sold for their eggs. Horseshoe crabs are also used as bait. Fisherman freeze the females, saw them in half, and insert them into eel traps. Horseshoe crabs are also used as bait. Fisherman freeze the females, saw them in half, and insert them into eel traps.

6. Hitch-Hikers Galore Hitch-Hikers Galore Limulus Leech- found around the book gills and leg joints of the crab, especially in older females that have not shed for a long time. Scientists used to think that the leeches were not harmful, but have learned that being a parasite the leech may weaken the crab enough to contribute to its eventual demise. The leeches leave very dark spots that are eggs in the pages of the crabs book gills. This weakens the surface and allows the leakage of seawater and bacteria into the crabs body. Limulus Leech- found around the book gills and leg joints of the crab, especially in older females that have not shed for a long time. Scientists used to think that the leeches were not harmful, but have learned that being a parasite the leech may weaken the crab enough to contribute to its eventual demise. The leeches leave very dark spots that are eggs in the pages of the crabs book gills. This weakens the surface and allows the leakage of seawater and bacteria into the crabs body. Sponges- (Proifera) are filter feeders that need enough water to move the plankton to them, and prevent burial by siltation. They are found on the posterior of the crab when the water is cool, and the crab is half buried in a dormant stage. Sponges- (Proifera) are filter feeders that need enough water to move the plankton to them, and prevent burial by siltation. They are found on the posterior of the crab when the water is cool, and the crab is half buried in a dormant stage.

7. Flatworms- appear as small, pale pieces of fleshy tissue that move when you touch them. They can even stay with the crabs during their molting process. Like flatworms, Tube-building worms are also found on the crabs. Flatworms- appear as small, pale pieces of fleshy tissue that move when you touch them. They can even stay with the crabs during their molting process. Like flatworms, Tube-building worms are also found on the crabs. Anemones and Hydroids are represented as the 2 Coleocentrates. The Anemones are colorful and striped. They are found on the crabs dorsal side. Hydroids are also found on the Limulus, and need to be observed underwater to see their exquisite shape. Anemones and Hydroids are represented as the 2 Coleocentrates. The Anemones are colorful and striped. They are found on the crabs dorsal side. Hydroids are also found on the Limulus, and need to be observed underwater to see their exquisite shape.

9. Other Hitch-Hikers Found On The Crabs Snail Fur- stout and bristly creature whose velcro-like texture contrasts to the smooth glistening shell of the HSC. Snail Fur- stout and bristly creature whose velcro-like texture contrasts to the smooth glistening shell of the HSC. Mud crabs and Shrimp hide in, under, and around the shell of the crab. Mud crabs and Shrimp hide in, under, and around the shell of the crab. Barnacles-they form a crown on the cephalothorx and it marks how deep the crab burrows into the substrate when its at rest for long periods. Barnacles-they form a crown on the cephalothorx and it marks how deep the crab burrows into the substrate when its at rest for long periods. Mollusca- represented better on the crab than any Phylum. It is a bushy, golden seaweed-like creature. Mollusca- represented better on the crab than any Phylum. It is a bushy, golden seaweed-like creature.

10. Conclusion: Most sluggish HSC’S have the majority of their shell and eyes covered with fouling growth. Most sluggish HSC’S have the majority of their shell and eyes covered with fouling growth. The thick coating of the hitch-hikers seems to presage the final demise of the horseshoe crab. The thick coating of the hitch-hikers seems to presage the final demise of the horseshoe crab.