DETAILS

Discipline

NH: ZOOLOGY: INVERTEBRATES: CHELICERATES (SPIDERS, SCORPIONS, TICKS, HORSESHOE CRABS)

Scientific Name

Limulus polyphemus

Common Name

Horseshoe Crab

Age

adult

Form

dried

Dimensions

overall: 50 mm x 250 mm x 115 mm

Description

The horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is an ancient type of arthropod that has hardly changed in millions of years. Despite the common name it is more closely related to scorpions than to crabs.

This species is found on the east coast of America where, at the right time of year, they emerge from the depths to lay eggs on the beaches. They can number in the thousands.

This specimen has been dried out for display purposes.

ID Number

Z.1980.197.3

Location

In storage

Terms

Other Chelicerates (Pycnogonida and Merostomata)

Other Arthropods

Zoology

Natural History

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