Penny Wallace

November 1, 2015

Science/English

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab

         The Atlantic horseshoe crab or Limulus polyphemus, has an average size of seven to twelve inches in length. The Atlantic horseshoe crab has a hard exoskeleton and ten walking legs under the exoskeleton. The mouth is right between the two sets of five walking legs. Also, there are spines on the abdomen and this organism has a long tail. An interesting fact about this organism is that it looks like there are dangerous spikes on this organism but the spikes are harmless. Also, an interesting fact about this organism is that its blood is blue, not red. Predators to the Atlantic horseshoe crab are various large fish, invertebrates, Sea Turtles and shore birds that feed on eggs of this organism. Prey to this organism are worms and mollusks. This organism is a heterotroph, meaning it relies on other organisms for food. The Atlantic horseshoe crab is ectothermic, meaning its body temperature is affected by the temperature of its surroundings. Juvenile Atlantic horseshoe crabs are found in shallow, protected waters with a sandy bottom. Adults are found in deeper waters. Atlantic horseshoe crabs are most commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Northern Atlantic coast of North America. The domain to this organism is eukaryote and the kingdom is animalia. The phylum to this organism is arthropoda and the class is merostomata. The order is xiphosura and the family is limulidae. The genus and species is Limulus polyphemus. This organism has bilateral symmetry. A structural adaptation to this organism is that it has ten walking legs, helping them maneuver more easily. Another structural adaptation is that this organism has a very hard carapace keeping the Atlantic horseshoe crab safer from predators. Finally the last adaptation is that this organism burrows. The Atlantic horseshoe crabs are one of the largest organisms that burrow in sandy environments so that it can lay its eggs in the sediment.  This provides more protection for the eggs increasing their survival. That adaptation is structural because their legs allow them to burrow themselves into the sand for protection. I had such a good time holding this organism! I cannot wait until I learn more about other organisms!

(work cited) I got my information from:

"Atlantic Horseshoe Crab"

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/horseshoe_crab

8 Nov. 2015