Horseshoe crabs (Limulidae) returning to breed, Fire Island National Seashore, 2015.
Summary
Horseshoe crabs originated around 450 million years ago and are considered 'living fossils', meaning they are similar to related species only known from fossils. In recent years, they have experienced a population decline as a consequence of coastal habitat destruction in Japan as well as overharvesting along the east coast of North America. While they resemble crustaceans, they are actually more closely related to arachnids. Horsehoe crabs spend most of their time on the ocean floor searching for food but return to shallow waters to breed, as seen in the photo. A male selects a female and clings to her back. The female will dig a hole and lay her eggs and the male will fertilize them.
Tags
horseshoe crab
arthropod
limulidae
horse shoe crab
crab
horseshoe
wild
wildlife
animal
fossil
living fossil
fire island national seashore
horseshoe crabs
fossils
horsehoe crabs
million years
population decline
habitat destruction
north america
ocean floor
national parks gallery
high resolution
new york
ocean beach
beach
Date
2015
Source
National Parks Gallery
Link
Copyright info
Public Domain Dedication